Compare And Contrast Franklin And Emerson

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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. Franklin believed that through self restraint and development of ones temperament anyone can achieve a successful life. The process Franklin describes involves cataloging all of the bad habits you do during a period of time and gradually working on reducing each of them to the point where they are almost non existent. However he does note that it is impossible to achieve …show more content…

Franklin was a deist and believed that God had no control over our lives and the decisions we make. Emerson believed that God was omnipotent and omnipresent, meaning that God is everywhere and all knowing, but that does not condone that they are all powerful. Emerson also believed that it was unnecessary for people to attend congregation because if God is all knowing then it should not matter where you are as long as you pray and give thanks to God. They both however did not attend congregation regularly later in life; Franklin because he was forced to during childhood, Emerson because he disagreed with the beliefs of the

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