In Martin Luther King's Letter from Birmingham jail, we see several factors that influence the state of philosophical discussion in that City. Some of these same factors were at work at the time of the birth of philosophy. Most of them are still playing an important role today. I will discuss one factor, though there are many more to be observed. Positive tension is the contributor I want to point out today. In his letter, King is talking about the tension that is created by direct integrationist action. Since both sides agreed that negotiation was the wisest course of action, the only question then is whether the right conditions exist for such negotiation. But the negotiation cannot be initiated when either side is unwilling to participate actively. Therefore, King describes the way that direct action creates, "such a crisis and fosters such a tension that a community which has constantly refused to negotiate is forced to confront the issue." In much the same way, Greek society was at the beginning of philosophy, a very tense environment. War, myth and poetry were the substance of everyday life. Socrates "felt that it was necessary to create a tension in the mind so that individuals could rise from the bondage of myths and half truths. The Greek myths and traditions that were present in this time were not essentially replaced by philosophy, but to use King's own words, philosophy was a step towards "the majestic heights of understanding." It could not have been achieved without the tensions that spurred new thinking and conversation within society. A refreshing way to look at the world and everything in it emerges. Philosophy is born.
