Question

Using Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “The Purpose of Education” text, consider how the author uses evidence, such as facts or examples, to support claims, reasoning to develop ideas and connect claims and evidence, stylistic or persuasive elements, such as word choice or appeals to emotion, to add power to the ideas expressed.

Answer 1

In his text "The Purpose of Education", King reinforces the importance of education in our lives, but affirms how we understand this importance in a wrong and inefficient way. It shows in an objective way, how education should teach us to think critically, incisively and scientificly based on facts that allow us to interpret for ourselves, without external influences, what is good or bad, what is right or wrong. However, we know that we are influenced at all times, accepting half truths and being manipulated by other people or even by the media, even though we have been educated with the best that our country could offer.

King shows why the State makes Education train us correctly. Education is dangerous for society, allowing people to think critically is dangerous for governments and many of those who call themselves leaders. In addition, it shows how effective education can intensify our worst side. This can be seen in the excerpt "But education which stops with efficiency may prove the greatest menace to society. The most dangerous criminal may be the man gifted with reason, but with no morals."