According to Transcendentalism, an individual's obligations to society are to challenge unjust laws through civil disobedience. The idea of ​​defying laws through civil disobedience became popular in the 1950s and 1960s, but was theorized as early as the early 19th century. The first transcendentalist to discuss this concept was Henry David Thoreau. He created the concept of fighting with peace instead of weapons. The most recent transcendentalist, Martin Luther King Jr., tells us that civil disobedience is the most just way to deal with unjust laws. “…One has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.” Mr. King is confessing that everyone has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws, but transcendentalism illustrates how to do so in a peaceful, nonviolent way that will gain the respect of others (King). Morality is the basis of responsibility and a person's moral compass is already calibrated in the right direction of right and wrong. Consciously, “Whoever breaks an unjust law must do so openly, lovingly, and with a willingness to accept punishment.” (King) The willingness to receive punishment for what he believed spoke volumes about his character, but how he responded to that punishment truly demonstrated that he was a transcendent list and not an average Joe. MLK JR not only popularized the idea of ​​transcendentalism, but showed the American people that not all wars are won with deadly weapons. Transcendentalism is not limited to the United States but exists throughout the world. Mahatma Gandhi, originally from India, started a revolution in India by ousting the British through the practice of peaceful nonconformity. Gandhi touched those around him through his willingness to receive punishment for what he believed was morally right... middle of paper...K, Gandhi, and Thoreau all used civil disobedience to protest what they believed was morally right for them and for the people around them. Works Cited Emerson, Ralph Waldo. "from Nature." Emerson Central. Jones Johnson Lewis, ndWeb. October 27, 2013. .Glick, Wendell, ed. “Resistance to Civilian Government.” The Writings of Henry D. Thoreau: Reform Papers. Princeton University Press, ndWeb. October 27, 2013. .King, Martin Luther, Jr. “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.” Center for African Studies. University of Pennsylvania, n.d. Web. October 27, 2013. “Mahatma Gandhi.” 2013. The Biography Channel website. October 27, 2013, http://www.biography.com/people/mahatma-gandhi-9305898