Martin Luther King Jr: On the Purpose of Higher Education
[Photo credit: https://100.ucla.edu/timeline/martin-luther-king-jr-speaks-at-ucla]
Martin Luther King Jr.: On the Purpose of Higher Education
Joe Way, PhD, CTS
In 1948 as a student at Morehouse College, Martin Luther King Jr., delivered a speech entitled, “The Purpose of Education,” where he proclaimed that “the function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character, that is the goal of true education.” MLK Jr.’s point was that attending college is not just the absorption of facts and data, but engaging deeply with information, questioning it, and understanding its broader context and implications. It's about developing the capacity for analytical and independent thought.
Higher education is going through its own identity crisis of its own today. Its value is being attacked politically while simultaneously the modalities of education have fundamentally changed forever as a result of the pandemic experience. Is higher education a place or an action? Is it about learning or developing? Is it about creating a career trajectory or forming the whole person? Yes. It’s all of those. That was Dr. King’s point. College is not solely about the information you gain, the letters that later come after your name, but the character you form through the process. For MLK Jr., that meant moral and ethical development that fosters a sense of responsibility and a moral compass to guide one's actions. This combination of intelligence and character forms the cornerstone of what Reverend King saw as the ultimate goal of education: to create individuals who are not only knowledgeable but also possess the moral integrity to use their knowledge for the betterment of society. In his case, that meant fighting for the inequities and social justices of society that existed in his day… a mission still going on today.
Dr. King's speech reflected a holistic view of education, where the development of the mind is inseparable from the cultivation of moral virtues. This vision aligns with his broader philosophy that sought not just to change specific laws or policies, but to uplift humanity and create a more just and compassionate world.
In 1965, MLK Jr., spoke at UCLA, reiterating the same sentiment from 17 years earlier. He proclaimed: “We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character, that is the goal of true education. The complete education gives one not only power of concentration but worthy objectives upon which to concentrate." As we now reflect on MLK’s vision of education nearly sixty years later, what can we do to further his mission in a tangible way?
In alignment—and fulfillment—with the teachings of Dr. King, I content that higher education today has three key purposes: (1) Foster critical thinking; (2) Develop character; and (3) Train students how to integrate those two together in order to be effective for the betterment of their career and society.
In today’s higher ed environment, critical thinking is increasingly important and is being addressed in many innovative approaches. First is the adoption of interdisciplinary education by higher education institutions. These programs often combine fields such as environmental science with policy and ethics, enabling students to understand complex issues like climate change from multiple perspectives, including scientific, political, and moral. This holistic approach enhances students' ability to address global challenges. Likewise, universities are placing a greater emphasis on research and innovation programs. Such opportunities allow students to engage in practical projects, like developing sustainable technologies, where they learn not only the technical aspects of engineering and science but also consider the broader societal and environmental implications of their work. Another crucial area is technology and data literacy, especially in the context of the burgeoning fields of big data and artificial intelligence. Educational courses that focus on teaching students to fully analyze data and understand the biases and limitations inherent in algorithms are essential. These courses aim to cultivate a discerning and thoughtful approach to technology, preparing students to navigate and contribute to an increasingly data-driven world.
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." This is the essence of Dr. King’s definition of character. Developing character is a pivotal aspect of modern higher education, which includes being able to hold proper discourse with challenging ideas while promoting empathy, love of others, and social responsibility for the good of all. A significant approach is through service learning and community engagement, which have become integral parts of the curriculum at numerous institutions. These programs often involve students participating in community service projects that not only contribute positively to society but also help students develop a deeper sense of the impact their actions and area of study has on the greater society. The increasing focus on ethics education across various disciplines integrates the understanding of the moral implications of their professional decisions. For example, medical students engaged in bioethics are being prepared to make decisions that are not only medically sound, but also ethically responsible. Likewise, the value of global and cultural exposure is being recognized with programs encouraging or requiring study abroad experiences or interactions with diverse cultures, which fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of different cultures and global issues that are not apparent in our normal social bubbles. In turn, higher education contributes to the development of a more compassionate and inclusive worldview, equipping students to be empathetic and globally conscious citizens.
Gaining knowledge, being able to process it critically, and having the character to handle it properly is only the first step. Higher education must also teach students to integrate these abilities into their professional and personal lives. This development is crucial in modern education; several approaches are being employed by higher education institutions to achieve this. One such method is problem-based learning, which involves students tackling complex, real-world problems in which the impact of the knowledge is applied and examined. This approach not only enhances critical thinking skills as students devise solutions but also fosters character development by making them aware of the broader social impact of these solutions. Another key aspect is the development of leadership and teamwork skills via extracurricular activities like sports programs, club activities, and life group organizations (like fraternities, sororities, and peer organizations). These programs are instrumental in cultivating a sense of responsibility, empathy, and ethical leadership, which are vital qualities in both personal and professional spheres. However, they are only as effective as they break outside of their own cultural bubbles and interact with those of opposing views and stations in life. Lastly, many universities are actively involving students in sustainability initiatives. These initiatives require innovative thinking and also instill a sense of responsibility towards future generations and the planet. Institutions are increasing adding chief sustainability officers and sustainability programs that move beyond recycling to encompassing greater social responsibility and understanding.
In the context of higher education in 2024—with rapid technological advancements and increasingly complex global issues—the dual educational goals of combining intelligence with character development envisioned by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are more pertinent than ever. Higher ed institutions are playing—and must continue to play—an essential role in preparing today’s students to face these challenges, not just with intellectual prowess but with moral integrity and a sense of global responsibility. I challenge everyone in higher education to find ways they can tangibly apply these ideals of Dr. King to their area of focus in order to ensure their role is not defined by the job they hold but the dual duty of informing the next generation and developing character that generates social good.
[Also: Check out Joe Way's article in Church Production Magazine on MLK Jr.'s biblical teachings https://www.churchproduction.com/life/mlk-jr-church-tech]
