Benjamin Franklin and Ralph Waldo Emerson want people to realize and develop potential within them. Even though both Franklin and Emerson advocate the notion of self-realization, they come up with different ideas about success, and have various attitudes toward people who are not successful in their perspectives.
Instead of believing “their foot shall slide in due time” (Edwards, 209), Franklin and Emerson view individuals as empires full of potential rather than lives managed by God. Franklin seldom goes to public worship, because “their aim seeming to be rather to make us Presbyterians than good citizens.” (Franklin, 580) Yet, he still gives money to some churches because he thinks the churches will use the money to do good, not because
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“What I must do, is all that concerns me, not what the people think.” (Emerson, 552) demonstrates that Emerson wants individuals to discover their true self that have unique way of thinking and should have a strong sense of self; The strong sense of self is also presented by “A great man is coming to eat at my house. I do not wish to please him: I wish that he should wish to please me.” (Emerson, 555) while stating that nobody’s ideas should be less valued. Through “The one thing in the world of value, is, the active soul, --the soul, free, sovereign, active.” (Emerson, 539) he shows his preference of resisting influences thinkers in past brings because he believes individuals nowadays can come up with better ideas and reading old ones will hold creativity back. In case that Emerson sticks with the stand that everybody can look into themselves carefully and bring up brand new and great thoughts to contribute to the world, he has no compassion toward poor people. If each individual has ability to be self-reliant, and then the only reason why poor people are poor is that they do not even try to manage their destiny. Therefore, unlike Franklin, Emerson questions “Are they my poor?” (Emerson, 552) to blame poor people.
Destiny is not arranged by God anymore in Franklin and Emerson’s view, so that develop individual self’s desire of exploring their potentials becomes necessary to succeed. Withholding various definitions of success, Benjamin Franklin and Ralph Waldo Emerson coincidentally stick with the same principle: everyone can succeed if he or she works hard enough. They have controversies over what is success, but the spirit of upward mobility exits in both of the authors and the time
Emerson and Franklin both had very similar ideas in regard to human behavior, but they believed in opposing outcomes from following these similar life styles. They both believed that by controlling ones desire and impulsive nature one could better themselves and their purpose in society. However their end results are very contrasting, Emerson is bettering himself for the discovery of knowledge, Franklin is bettering himself to improve his image and his money making ability. They also contrast on many of their fundamental beliefs of what the duty of the individuals role in society is. Franklin gives a process by which every individual can better themselves and the public as a whole. Emerson’s ideas on the other hand revolve around the idea of self discovery and the betterment of ones mind through the acquisition of knowledge leading to the Universal Truth.
When it comes to the visions of America we tend to think of two sides. Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin. They each have their own unique way of saying what Americas Vision is.Thomas Jefferson 's vision of America is what we would call idealistic. Meaning it is ideal to be lived for and for which must always strive. He states in the Declaration of Independence that "All are created equal." Defining equality can be difficult because the meaning is always changing. It does not mean we are the same, but it does mean we all are granted the same rights and freedom. I believe that America is always struggling to live up to "all are created equal" but have yet to succeed at it. I think that America has not lived up to Jefferson ideal. If we look back it in time and compare to the present we are still dealing with some of the same situations. Race, Religions, etc. A quote from the Declaration of Independence states, "That they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of happiness." Stating that every human deserves to have their own life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness if they do to wish so.
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.
He writes, “all things real are so by so much virtue as they contain.” Emerson says that things that are unique and individual are real, so therefore people who are mere imitations of society are neither unique nor individual. This makes it impossible for them to have distinct characteristics and qualities. A person with greater self reliance, Emerson’s goal for society, is an individual who brings value to themselves and others. In his closing paragraph, Emerson drives the final point home in his case for self-reliance. “Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles.” The major goal in life is seen as being at peace with oneself, a goal nearly impossible if one is an imitation of someone else. Becoming self reliant is not so simple as making a single decision, it is a journey. Emerson provides crucial explanation and motivation for one to become self-reliant, and leaves it to the reader to take this goal upon
"Every young man is born with some determination in his nature, and is a potential genius." At first glance this quote produces a mix of emotions from the reader. Upon further investigation and examining the word choice one may find Emerson's statement to be completely valid. Ralph Waldo Emerson's essay titled "Education," uses the open words "some" and "potential," making the statement more realistic and ultimately true.
Different literature writers have many different views about mankind. Many American writers discuss these views. More out spoken American writers spend a great amount of time talking about this topic. In this paper we will look at Benjamin Franklin’s and Jonathan Edwards’ views of mankind by looking at personal background, religious views, and evidence in their writings.
"Of two things you can be certain; death and taxes," quoted Benjamin Franklin. Having a humorous outlook on life, Franklin tried to make others' lives better. Benjamin was a man who served others and tried to make the world its best until his death. Benjamin Franklin had many accomplishments. He had a busy and eventful life, he played a major role in defending his country, and he was known for his quotes. Franklin was always working to make something better.
“We will walk on our own feet; we will work with our own hands; we will speak our own minds…if the single man plant himself indomitably on his instincts, and there abide, the huge world will come round to him.” (Emerson 179). He believed that Americans were relying too much on the ideas of our British ancestors and our ideas should instead come from the culture and history of the United States. “We have listened too long to the courtly muses of Europe.” (Emerson 178). Emerson believed that the best men throughout history have been the men who come up with their own beliefs and their own ideas and this is what the people of America must do
Benjamin Franklin and Johnathan Edwards were both influential thinkers of their time in very different ways. Franklin was a scientific man, and when United States citizens think of him, they often think of his contribution to the discovery and use of electricity. Franklin used logic and reason in his everyday life, and these principles converted to his thoughts about Christianity and religion. Edwards, however, possessed strong religious beliefs, and he thought everyone’s lives should revolve around Christianity. Devotion to God’s word and solemn practice were the most important aspects one could strive for because they were the key into entering Heaven. The differing religious beliefs of Benjamin Franklin and Johnathan Edwards illustrated
The first thing that comes to someone’s mind about Benjamin Franklin will most likely be that he is the one that is on the 100 dollar bill or he was a president. There is much more about Benjamin than just being on a bill and being a president. Gordon S. Wood wrote a biography on Benjamin and it tells the readers about the events that have happened during his lifetime.
Ralph Waldo Emerson, nineteenth century poet and writer, expresses a philosophy of life, based on our inner self and the presence of the soul. Emerson regarded and learned from the great minds of the past, he says repeatedly that each person should live according to his own thinking. I will try to explain Emerson’s philosophy, according to what I think he is the central theme in all his works.
It is a writer’s job to clarify ideas, employ allegories or other scholarly devices, and convince their audience of a belief. However, not all writers share the same perspective or poetic hypotheses. According to David D. Anderson, “Both Ralph Waldo Emerson and Edgar Allan Poe have left essays in which they attempted to make articulate their philosophies of poetic composition”(471). Ralph Waldo Emerson was an American savant that drove the transcendentalist development. He is responsible for writing "The American Scholar" and "The Poet." In his address, "The American Scholar," Emerson states that the time has come to make another American social character. He supposes it is time for the United States and American culture to break free from European impact.
...ls. He says, ."..their Aim seeming to be rather to make us Presbyterian than good Citizens." (Pg. 94) Franklin felt as though individual study should be emphasized over dogma.
I believe that, essentially, life consists of a series of choices. A grouping of these choices in one direction or another makes us who we are, and ultimately we have control over our lives. What makes one person different from another is his own set of choices. When going through life’s motions, we develop certain worldviews and ideas and values to live by. We develop an opinion of what makes a person “great.” In the well-known essay “Self-Reliance”, Ralph Waldo Emerson provides a beautiful way of approaching these choices, and he reveals a very inspiring set of values centralized around going through life answering only to yourself. I love the way Emerson evaluates the society we live in, and how he radically encourages being misunderstood and nonconformist. Emerson, like myself, exhibits values of saying exactly what you think and living only by what you believe to be the best.
Walt Whitman is Jay Leno and Ralph Emerson is Ed Hall. Walt takes the instructions announced by Emerson and runs gallantly with them making beautiful and insightful poetry. Walt Whitman and Ralph Emerson spoke out in an age where society was not ready for such dramatic writers. Whitman uses several of Emerson's topics and styles to be that good poet. Whitman elaborates on the characteristics of a poet, freedom, children, and animals.