Demonstrating the many facets of Martin Luther King Jr.'s civil disobedience ideology, two University faculty members discussed the theory's historical and philosophical implications last Thursday. Nearly 40 University faculty members and students attended the panel discussion, which aimed to go beyond honoring King, according to College of Arts and Sciences Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Kent Peterman. "The purpose is to take the ideas formulated by King and allow students to grapple with these ideas and work through them in a systematic way," Peterman explained. During the event, which was co-sponsored by the School of Arts and Sciences and the Philomathean Society, History Professor Walter Licht and Philosophy Professor Susan Meyer presented their views on civil disobedience and its impact on King's ideology. "Civil disobedience is? resistence in particular to unjust laws, by disobeying them," Meyer said. "Civil disobedience is a powerful tool that commands great respect and had great results." According to Licht, civil disobedience is rooted in the writings of King's predecessors, including Henry David Thoreau and Mahatma Gandhi. Licht covered the historical progression of civil disobedience and the impact this ideology had on King. He stressed that the principle of civil disobedience is an effective political tool because it "appeals to the collective conscience of society and helps to bring about a new history." After both presentations, a 20-minute open discussion session ensued. Although only 30 University students -- including 15 Philo members -- attended the panel discussion, College senior and Philo moderator Shawn Walker said she was impressed with the overall presentation. "I really enjoyed the difference between the two speakers perspectives," Walker said. "I was excited by the turnout." College sophomore and Philo member Josh Marcus said he thought the event was "very interesting, and? meaningful."
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