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Essays on benjamin franklin's autobiography
Essays on benjamin franklin's autobiography
Benjamin franklin impact on us history
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In his writing a theme that is most prevalent is that of the American dream. Although not coined that yet, as the United States didn’t exist at the time. But right from the beginning Franklin speaks to the fact that he created his success and fortune from nothing but hard work, and intelligence. When describing Franklin’s Autobiography as a primary source, it is important to note that this theme of the American Dream. Most famously from the Declaration of Independence preamble, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” ( Dec. of Ind. Pre.).
The past 16 months of Franklin Scott’s life have been a time of what he has referred to as “reflection.” During this period, Franklin has had the opportunity took look back upon his poor life decisions and the negative consequences that have resulted
Benjamin Franklin, while not specifically trying to define a statesman, wrote a list of twelve virtues he aspired to attain in his attempt at achieve moral perfection. After scouring Christian teachings, Biblical revelations and classical works, he determined that temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality,
Both men had some affiliation with Christianity: praise and thank God for their good fortune in life. Franklin wanted to attain Moral Perfection, given that he enumerated 13 virtues: Temperance, Silence, Order, Resolution, Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquility, Chasity, Humility. Franklin even contends to follow the actions of Jesus, The Son of God. He believed that the only religion that matters to him is the religion of hard work and material success. He values rationality and reasonableness above all.
After some time, his friend, Benjamin Vaughan urges him to complete the autobiography. Vaughan cites many reasons for its completion, among them is, to represent a young country in a way other men with less reputation could not, also for his connection with an increasingly independent people, and most importantly he states, “for the forming of future men; and in conjunction with [his] art of virtue…” (Franklin 72). What follows from this encouragement, is less a personal narrative, and more a philosophy on how to become an ideal man in society, through hard work and self-cultivation.
In the year 1726, Benjamin Franklin set up his highest goal on the attainment of moral perfection. His perspective is portrayed in his quote. ” Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.” Franklin spent less time in leisure, as he found it unproductive.
When Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography was published in the 18th century, it reflected Franklin’s uncommon and advanced mindset at that time, considering the fact that at that time, humans could be hanged for doubting the Revelation. In his Autobiography, Franklin expresses skepticism toward religion and explains why he does not commit himself to one particular faith. However, Franklin respects the freedom of religion and highly promotes moral and virtuous behavior. Franklin discusses his reflections on religion and the distinction between organized religions and beliefs that are not bound to religious systems. He emphasizes that organized religion and sects are more focused on following specific rules and practices, than concentrating on really understanding God and His ideas of humility, moral behavior and virtue.
Today, America's standards and moralities are deteriorating and society is spiraling into disarray. We could use Franklin's philosophy of morality to make our civilization more humane and improved. Regarding Franklin's political beliefs, he cannot be classified under today's categories of conservatism or liberalism, because these terms did not exist in Franklin's America. He did strongly believe in freedom, and that people should have the right to choose their own government. He also believed that people should be fairly represented in parliament.
Benjamin Franklin: The Archetypal American Modern American identity revolves around self improvement. Americans seek to improve themselves in all areas of life, be it socially, financially, or physically. Americans accomplish these goals through education and observing the successes of others. Benjamin Franklin, a man who is frequently admired by fellow Americans, embodies many of these qualities and, as such, has become an archetype of success and of what it means to be American. Benjamin Franklin is an archetypal American because of his values of self-improvement, community-mindedness, and frugality.
Although Franklin makes a point to say this experiment is about him, he also writes that “it may be well my posterity should be informed…” (Franklin 433). Franklin is writing this with the intent of others seeing his argument. He makes a clear point that this is the direction a perfect man should be heading towards.
Benjamin Franklin is known to be an “Archetypal American,” because of his beliefs on religion, self-improvement, hard work, and determination; but also his somewhat prideful spirit. Much of modern America is quite similar to Franklin in his actions throughout his lifetime. In his early years, Franklin’s father, Josiah, had a set plan for what he was supposed to do with his life, as a minister. Soon into his education, he found an interest in reading and writing, so he began pursuing a career in printing.
Among the discussion of the virtues that Franklin believes make a person the most characteristic, he continues to discuss reality and appearance in Part Two of his work. Franklin discusses that he has set a goal “to arriv[e] at moral Perfection.” (Franklin 534). The way that Franklin thought he could reach this goal is forming twelve virtues that he feels everyone should aim to carry: temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chasity, and humility (Franklin 534-535). Franklin formulates a plan for him to keep track of how he is obeying his twelve virtues by keeping a “little Book in which [he] allotted a Page for each of the Virtues” (Franklin 537), making it clear that Franklin believes that appearance is more important than
Many people think that The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is written to or for Franklin’s son, however it seems to be written to the general public. Most people believe that Benjamin Franklin is writing to his son. Franklin, at first, might have had the initial intention of writing this autobiography to his son because he started the essay with “dear son” (Franklin 1) and explains to him how he, himself, liked to hear about his ancestor’s stories. After telling the stories, Franklin starts to generalize what he is saying. He starts to tell his life story and his son is never directly mentioned in the book, until he is written about in part three.
Franklin claims that he has been living long enough to see errors that he made, therefore as he grow older, he tend to “doubt of [his] own judgment” because nobody is perfect due to his past experiences (43). The informations that Franklin presents is to show his reputation that he is not perfect, also his constitution but he is open minded and willing to make what is best for the people. The perspective errors of the constitution have, is being “sacrificed to the public good” meaning all the flaw that constitution have will not be reveal to the people (44). Franklin is very passion about what is best for the people and their happiness, furthermore his characteristic is very respectful toward the citizen and the congress.
In Saskatchewan (Human Rights Commission) v Whatcott [2013] the Supreme Court looks at a case of potential hate speech and defines what constitutes as hate speech. I agree with the court finding the pamphlets a form of hate speech and plan to argue that they should not be protected. To begin this essay, I will consider the facts of the case and discuss the outcome. Second, I will look at the case of R v Butler and analyze how they are similar in nature. Next, I will argue that the court made the right choice in deciding the pamphlets constitute as hate speech, and should not be protected under section 2(b) of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
