Sincerity, justice, and tranquility are admired virtues often associated with the legacies of great men. As mentioned in Benjamin Franklin’s illustrious thirteen moral virtues, these words are among those that embody his beliefs on what virtues are required in a man to maintain admirable character. Emphasis on virtues seems to be a driving force among prominent figures in our nation’s history. Every great man or moment in American history is related to a virtue, almost as a validation of their legitimacy. The United States of America is a nation that was founded on idealism and hope. These ideas have lingered with the nation throughout time.
The virtues presented in the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin are similar to those discussed in President John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s Profiles in Courage. Therefore, we can see the timeless importance that we as Americans place on virtuous leaders, which we would not have been as aware of before reading this essay. From the age of Benjamin Franklin to the turbulent era of John F. Kennedy, regardless of the amount of time passed Americans long for leaders that embody the virtues mentioned in Franklin’s famed thirteen moral virtues. Perhaps what makes these two men a part of an elite group of great Americans is their dominating presence in history. Their legacies are remembered as patriots with an unquestionable love of America and what is right; the type of men who would put aside personal consequences if the outcome led to the greater good for the people. In Profiles of Courage, President Kennedy defines it best; "A man does what he must - in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers and pressures - and that is the basis of all human morality" (Kennedy 266). Virtu...
... middle of paper ...
... noble Benjamin Franklin and John F. Kennedy.
Works Cited
Franklin, Benjamin. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. New York: Dover Publications, 1
996. Print.
"John F. Kennedy Quotations." - John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum. John F.
Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2013.
Kennedy, John F. John F. Kennedy: Proclamation 3560 - Thanksgiving Day, 1963. John F.
Kennedy: Proclamation 3560 - Thanksgiving Day, 1963. Gerhard Peters and John T.
Woolley The American Presidency Project, n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2013.
Kennedy, John F. Profiles in Courage. New York: Harper & Row, 1964. Print.
Snyder, K. Alan. "Pondering Principles." Pondering Principles. WordPress Entries (RSS), n.d.
Web. 22 Nov. 2013.
Weintraub, Karl J. "The Puritan Ethic and Benjamin Franklin." The Journal of Religion 56.3
(1976): 223-37. JSTOR. Web. 22 Nov. 2013.
Gordon S. Wood delves into Benjamin Franklin’s philosophical, political, and personal legacies in the biography, The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin. The book travels through Franklin’s experiments, his travels in Europe, and his role in the American revolution. The book begins when Franklin retires from business and becomes a gentleman. It was when he became a gentleman, it allowed him to analyze the world around him. “Indeed, he could not drink a cup of tea without wondering why the tea leaves at the bottom gathered in way rather than another,” a quote from Edmund S. Morgan’s book, Benjamin Franklin. Franklin spent a great deal of time in Britain before returning to America. When he returned, he threw himself into the American revolution, which sent him to France. After he accomplished his duties in France, he returned back home to America where he ran for public office.
The American fight for freedom is a critical part of the American history. Following the foundation of a nation, the individuals who enabled the fight for freedom and were central in the fight called the founding fathers. In the book ‘Revolutionary Characters: What Made the Founders Different’, the author provides a vivid investigation of the founding fathers. The book offers a unique point of view that looks on to the founding fathers’ live in detail. The book offers knowledge that extends beyond what is availed into the history books into an analysis of character to present their individual values as a system in which they founded guiding principles for the country. The paper offer an analysis of ‘Revolutionary Characters: What Made the Founders Different’. Gordon Wood brings to light the ethical principles of the founding fathers to bring to light the basis of moral statures propagated and applied in the democratic system today despite the difference in time.
In marked contrast to his famous father, who worked diligently on his autobiography until declining health would no longer allow it, William Franklin spent the years following the Revolutionary War wandering without purpose, the quintessential man without a country. Like many prominent loyalists to the Crown of England, William had suffered the confiscation of his property and the loss of his good name. William Franklin spent the first years of his English exile arguing in front of British Parliament for recompense on behalf of his fellow loyalists, with varying success, and for himself with none whatsoever. This endeavor having proven unfulfilling, William attempted to reconcile with his father and his son, Benjamin Franklin and William Temple Franklin, who had replaced William as Benjamin’s heir. For his efforts, William was rebuffed and made to suffer the indignity of virtual disinheritance.
In America today, when the name of honor is often adulterated by glaring headlines proclaiming the guilt of an immoral politician or the fall of a disgraced executive, it is easy to forget that the country was founded for the pursuit of truth, for only in truth can people find real happiness. Thomas Jefferson famously included the pursuit happiness as an unalienable right in the Declaration of Independence, but in an intimate letter to William Roscoe, a British historian, Jefferson wrote, “This institution will be based on the illimitable freedom of the human mind. For here we are not afraid to follow truth wherever it may lead.” In his flagship novel, All the King’s Men, Robert Penn Warren embraces the Founding Father’s principles with his characterization of both Willie Stark and Jack Burden. Warren’s novel is an American classic because it traces the lives of two lost men as each man follows his personalized compass pointing towards complete understanding. After elevating him to unprecedented heights, Willie’s interpretation of truth returns to drag him down to the Underworld. Only when Jack learns that not even Willie can be omnipotent does he stop trying to understand everything. Willie Stark and Jack Burden embody the essence of Thomas Jefferson’s words because, in a sense, they both attain freedom through their pursuit of truth.
Robert Fulghum’s list of things learned in kindergarten and Ben Franklin’s list of virtues both apply to morality and relationships. They both show how to live with good morals and conduct. Fulghum’s list applies more to the relationships of people today, while Franklin’s applies to relationships at any age. Franklin's scheme for arriving at moral perfection relates to self-help books because both benefit people and help them to better themselves in life. To summarize, Robert Fulghum’s list of things learned in kindergarten and Ben Franklin’s list of virtues both apply to morality and relationships
A number of the decisions and actions undertaken not only during the course of Jackson’s presidency, but also as a pre-political individual alone, depict a man certainly capable of a villainous description. While one could attempt to describe Andrew Jackson as a hero, one would be required to ignore repeatedly documented events and personal accounts to the contrary. However, a successful counterargument resides in the fact that, in trivial terms, history is not black-and-white. Oftentimes, history is perceived through two viewpoints. The first observes history where morals and beliefs are not entered into the equation. To use American history as a template, many historical figures, such as Thomas Jefferson or Abraham Lincoln, are represented as unblemished and faultless; the focus is primarily placed on intelligent, influential quotes and political achievements. The second viewpoint represents the same individuals as flawed and human, straying far from the untarnished and blameless leaders of the first example; through the second point-of-view, personal dealings and character reside at the core. Neither of these methods of studying history is necessarily false, as neither promotes false information. However, within itself, history is unbiased, and the legacy of America’s seventh president lies in between these two often-employed viewpoints. As
Defining the American character is quite difficult because American identity is vaguely founded on shared values and ideologies, more so than a particular creed, race, or culture. In order to describe the American character, we will consider the dominate and distinctive qualities of Americans as interpreted by J. Hector St. Jon De Crèvecoeur and Thomas Paine. First, we will examine how Crèvecoeur illustrates Americans as industrious, prideful, and political in “Letters from an American Farmer.” Then, we will analyze from Thomas Paine's “Common Sense” how he depicts the prevalent qualities of Americans to be driven by justice, liberty, emotions, and individualism. Also, because both authors consider the American character and culture different
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is a representation of the new prospect of upward mobility in colonial America during the 18th century and the development of the Age of Reason, which assisted in the conception of the idea of the “American Dream”; a dream that includes fundamentally social ideals such as democracy, equality, and material prosperity. Furthermore, Franklin’s autobiography exemplifies a significant shift in focus from religion to enlightenment and reason. Additionally, there were forces specific to Benjamin Franklin's Philadelphia, that played an important role in his perspectives and the changes that occurred within colonial America during the 18th century.
In The Autobiography, Benjamin Franklin recounts the many paramount experiences throughout his life that shaped him into great American figure he was known to be. On the opening page, Franklin reveals the book’s epistolary format by writing, “Dear Son,” going on to admit that he’s made some mistakes in the past and to recollect that past is a way to relive it. By divulging his desire to “change some sinister Accidents & Events” (Franklin 3) the author indicates how important it is for his son to observe as he amends his mistakes. Pride, virtue and vanity play a pivotal role in Benjamin Franklin’s life and the way he portrays himself to others. Instances occur where the author is shown gloating about his great accomplishments and he puts emphasis on his need to live a virtuous and morally perfect life. Throughout his story, Benjamin Franklin tells his son of his many virtuous acts and momentous achievements, motivating the question as to whether he seeks his own approval more so than the approval of his peers.
When we hear the names, Paul Revere, Benjamin Franklin or George Washington, we can immediately identify these men as noble leaders and celebrated heroes who made extraordinary contributions during the fragile infancy of our country. These men and many others unselfishly risked their lives to fight for a united nation in both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. However, do the names Philis Wheatley, Jenny Hodges or Sybil Ludington inspire the same recognition and admiration for their unprecedented sacrifices for the same “cause”? The answer may be “no” and, unfortunately, it would be expected.
Benjamin Franklin’s ethics helped convey to the audience that they were not just listening to another representative's opinion in the room. His “diplomatic skills”(43) in this speech helped make the delegates listen and take his view into consideration. Such a reputation can make people ponder and contemplate his words and meanings. Franklin does not approach the debate with unfair reasoning or a lack of knowledge. In fact, he mentions “when you assemble a number of men...you inevitably assemble with those men and all their prejudices...”(43) showing that he is aware of other people’s opinions and thoughts. He uses the other delegates opinions to attempt a compromise.
American success history recognizes the contributions made by two of its renowned leaders. The two are regarded as heroes despite the obvious differences between them abound. The two figures are regarded with comparable amounts of reverence even though they lived their lives in different ways. Nevertheless, both Benjamin Franklin and Fredrick Douglas gained their status through treading pathway of hard work. This paper, therefore, seeks to discuss the experiences that shaped the lives of both Franklin and Douglas. It also seeks to analyze the life of Fredrick Douglas as presented by John Stauffer. In comparing the two personalities, I will lay much emphasis on the role education played in making better the lives of Franklin and Douglas. In this regard, it is worth noting that although their education was not that formal, it shaped their lives immensely. Franklin education, for instance, came while working under his brother James as an apprentice printer during his teen years. On the other hand, Douglas’s tale is much bleaker, but it depicts the use of wits coupled with natural talent to pull oneself to a respectable stature (Zafar 43). It is clear that Franklin persuasive rhetorical skills, which came in handy, in writing and oratory skills were natured by induction to printing apprenticeship as well as a great access to a variety of books. Critiques in later years would argue his love for books and learning made Franklin become an accomplished speaker, thinker, author, and a statement. In a nutshell, access to books and love for learning shaped Franklin’s Character to a great extent.
Life as we know it is full of wonder and mystery. Questions are essential in order for us to discover the world around us and especially understand where we stand in the world. Many philosophers find their inspiration in Aristotle’s work. His work is legendary and his name is known throughout the world. As a philosopher, Aristotle questioned life around him in order to better understand the world and how humans work. One of those various questions included, “What makes a good person?” This question resolves around the theory of virtue ethics. This theory stresses how character and virtue play a major part in moral philosophy. According to Aristotle, someone who has excellent attributes is defined as being virtuous. Both Plato and Aristotle are known as the founding fathers of this theory of virtue. Aristotle is credited more with this theory than Plato. Around the 19th century virtue ethics declined, but resurfaced in the late 1950’s in Anglo-American philosophy. Virtue ethics has risen to prominence once again because of its focus on the virtuous character traits of individuals that help
Virtue and morality are concepts so imperative to fruitful government operation, that our first president unequivocally enforced their importance in his farewell address in 1796. He states that, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports and that “It is substantially true that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government.” (Washington,p 7) If one of our Founding fathers found the presence of virtue and morality in our society important enough to address in his final political speech, why then would we see fit to disregard them? Morality and virtue must remain intertwined with government if the nation is to continue toward greatness; the removal of such qualities can only lead to eventual destruction as “…reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.” (Washington,
For the purposes of this essay human virtue is defined as a trait or ability such that one who has that trait or ability would be considered excellent and thus virtuous by human standards. Additionally it is important to keep