Puritanism and Pragmatism Essay

This selection gives interesting insight into the world of Franklin, relating both to his everyday habits, and his reactions to the Enlightenment. There was one very interesting, but small segment, towards the end of the selection. It read, ‘It was about this time I conceived the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection; I wished to live without committing any fault at any time; I would conquer all that either natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into .. . . But I soon found I had undertaken a task of more difficulty than I had imagined.’ This particular section of the source was very revealing of Franklin’s character. Throughout the entire paper, Franklin had discussed different aspects of his upbringing, and current lifestyle, however this quote reveals more about the man behind the paper than anything else. Yet, he spent most of the text comparing his life to religious teachings, and the paths that the Enlightenment opened.

Will society ever come together under one belief? Understanding the past changes of certain parts within society will bring you one step closer to opening your own eyes of what you believe in. Throughout the major literary philosophies in the United States, one can see how social requirements to attend church diminished throughout history. Philosophers have done their best to spread their beliefs to see their own change in the world.

Despite all these similarities, there are many large differences between the two. The first is that Paul Revere did much more than warn the people of the british. In the belknap letter it said “Mr. Lowell asked me to go to the tavern with him, to get a trunk of papers belonging to Mr. Hancock. We went up to the tavern , and while we were getting the trunk, we saw the British very near, upon a full march. We hurried towards Mr. Clark’s house. In our way we passed through the American militia. There were about fifty minutemen. When we had got about one hundred yards from the meeting-house, the British troops appeared on both sides of the meeting-house. In their front

The allusion to readings beyond the Bible is a great indicator of the importance of education, to Bradstreet and Franklin. Books and education play an enormous part in Franklin’s life. In fact, the founding of the first circulating library solidifies the importance. The extent of his education is demonstrated with the allusion to other writers and philosophers such as Anthony Collins, Cotton Mathers, and John Bunyan ; in doing so, he is boasting his education and encouraging others to emulate him. Franklin’s’ “... first collection was of John Bunyan’s Works…” and reveals that he is reading beyond religious scripture(Franklin 312). As part of the Enlightenment movement, it was easier for Benjamin Franklin to read and mention other

It is easy to see Benjamin Franklin was no doubt an archetypal American. No one since him has ever had the same amount of success as him. He was a private businessman who made enough money to retire early and to spend the rest of his life in politics. Around this time period only the rich were able to retire early. He was industrious. Franklin continually put forth the idea of the industrious American. He had support from the middle-class who did not care if he was rich but he was a man who was self-made and worked hard. This American attitude was formed early and most of it by him. Franklin was also not judgmental came to decisions and conclusions as a businessman and politician. However, his attitude was non-judgmental with respect to a

Although both men were similar in many ways the outcomes they faced were very different. One a rhode scholar,and the other incarcerated for life, and no parole. Due to what obstacles they faced,and the twist and turns they encountered,Made them what they are today.

It is ironic how two men were both born during the same time period, in the same area, and had many similar ideas on one’s behavior, beliefs in God, and impacts on society; and they didn’t even know who they other person was! Both Ben Franklin and Jonathan Edwards were born in the eighteenth century, within three years of each other. They were both contemporaries and took time to write about themselves or their outlooks on life. They felt it was important to contribute to society and to share their ideas with others. Ben Franklin and Jonathan Edwards were similar and different in many ways, including their attitudes or perspectives on moral perfection, their beliefs in God, and their impacts on society throughout their life.

Patrick Henry and Benjamin Franklin were similar and different. What makes them similar is the way that they handled politics. They both were willing to anything for the better good, and they both want you to to become more patriotic and have wisdom.

The Enlightenment period, also known as The Age of Reason, was a period of social, religious, and political revolution throughout the 18th century which changed the thoughts of man during this “awakening” time. It was a liberation of ignorant thoughts, ideas, and actions that had broken away from the ignorant perception of how society was to be kept and obeyed thus giving little room for new ideas about the world. Puritan society found these new ideas of thought to be extremely radical in comparison to what they believed which was a belief of strong rational religion and morality. Enlightened society believed that the use of reason would be a catalyst of social change and had a demand of political representation thus resulting in a time

Some similarities that Henry and Franklin share are they both want to gain independence from New England. They both wanted to be free and have a united society. They both agree that they must speak out against England in order to gain independence like they want.

During revolutionary America, Benjamin Franklin, Olaudah Equiano, and Phillis Wheatley all wrote autobiographical works that framed their identities and explored new ideas taking form through the Great Awakening and Enlightenment. Equiano and Wheatley wrote in support of abolition and used their works to exemplify that, while Franklin focused on the “American dream” and how he was able to achieve it. Despite these differences, all three were quick to mention religion in America and the Christian hypocrisy associated with it.

Benjamin Franklin and Henry David Thoreau have been thought of as two powerful philosophers in history. Both men were alive centuries ago, but their unique ways of life and ideas still exist in some of history’s most admirable figures. Each man had a judgment that went beyond the era they existed in, but is still obvious in today’s culture. Even though both men are credited for their wise principles, their beliefs do not always coincide with one another. However, one thing they do have in common is that they both revolutionized America through their thoughts, actions, and distinctive opinions on how to improve the world around them.

It is difficult to draw parallels between the staunch beliefs of Puritan society in colonial America and the freedom experienced in the country today. The Puritans lived strict lives based on a literal interpretation in the Bible, and constantly emphasized a fear of God and a fear of sin. Modern society looks at this negative view of humanity as a whole as an out-dated opinion from the past, believing that, "Now people know better than that." However, faults in human nature can not be completely erased by the passing of time and the modernization of society. People still have emotions of love, compassion, envy, and pride; and many types of interpersonal relationships within their community. Puritan literature

It was the year 1706 in Boston, MA when Benjamin Franklin entered the world. Birthed after fourteen other siblings, Franklin's family structure is only one deciding factor in the way that this legendary tale pans out. A hero of American Revolution, this novel depicts 18th century realism accurately while logging Franklin's personal conception on human nature and social community. Many look at Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography as your typical rags to riches tale yet, the truth and falsehood throughout the pages is unknown, raising many questions and concerns. As this book was written in segments over a stretched period of time, we must analyze this account of his life, the struggles and successes which took place, and the outcome of such

In spite of the fact that Franklin was hardly a puritan, he was nevertheless very much a child of the Puritans. This is not displayed merely in his promotion of the virtues, but in his abstaining from excessiveness in eating, drinking, conversation, or whatever. Franklin is strongly influenced with self-governance In numerous ways, this is, to someone coming to it for the first time, a very amazing book. Franklin is, of course, one of the most celebrated Americans who ever lived, and his credentials in a wide arrangement of endeavors are a part of American knowledge and popular history. A great deal of this knowledge and numerous of his accomplishments are missing from this account of his life. He never finished the autobiography, earlier in his life on account of the fact that he was too engaged with what he terms public employment’s, and later in life by virtue of the opium he was taking for kidney stones left him incapable to concentrate adequately. Had Franklin been able to write about every period of his life and all of his achievements, his autobiography would have been one of the most exceptional and outstanding documents every produced. It is astonishingly imperious. However, his record as an office-holder is stained by the use he made of his position to advance his relatives. He was one of the most important statesmen in the new America and was a historical figure who shaped our nations history. He was a very