Benjamin Franklin Research Paper

Franklin opens his essay with an appeal to Ethos, using self-deprecating humor to make the audience more receptive to his argument. Franklin wrote a letter to George Washington regarding the constitution. Franklin starts off by saying “I confess that there are several parts of this constitution which I do not at present approve..” Franklin also says, “I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information, to change opinions..” Franklin speaks about how he his opinions change as a result of being open minded. “It is therefore the older I grow, the more apt I am to doubt my own judgment, and pay more respect to the judgment of others.” “Most men indeed as well as most sects in Religion, think themselves in possession of all

“The Franklin File” by Victor M Parachin provides insight on many accomplishments Benjamin Franklin achieved in his lifetime. During the American Revolution, Franklin directed saboteurs and advocated reviving the use of an obsolete weapon by fine-tuning gunpowder manufacturing and championed use in combat states Parachin. Franklin’s role in the abolishment was very counterintuitive as he owned slaves himself for economics, yet still requested the abolishment of slavery to Congress. Parachin describes Franklin’s viewpoint as Franklin “argued that Congress had a duty to establish ‘the blessings of liberty…to all people living in the United States…without distinction of color’.” Politics wasn’t the lone niche Franklin had. Franklin expressed great personal pleasure inventing many useful items like his Double Spectacles, the president’s chair, Pennsylvania fireplace, and armonica which benefited many

Thesis: In his autobiography, Franklin is undoubtedly concerned with developing virtue and self-improvement, but relies on others as the primary frame of reference for his own progress, always measuring himself with others. This habit of comparison results in the development of vices as well as virtues.

Firstly, despite being a subject of fraud that left him in solitude and misery in London, Benjamin Franklin was a man who was very grateful and proud towards

Benjamin Franklin is one of the greatest minds of American history. From philosophical society, the Junto, to creating the first library, he has shaped the minds and lives of many. Likewise, Franklin was influenced by predecessors who helped him create the man he was. One of the major influences that helped Franklin fashion himself was preacher, Jonathan Edwards. Franklin fashioned himself as someone like Edwards with power and influence, but differs in his lack of religious views, showing America’s change in ideals and who they are influenced by.

“And now I speak of thanking God, I desire with all Humility to acknowledge, that I owe the mention'd Happiness of my past Life to his kind Providence, which led me to the Means I us'd and gave them Success.” (Franklin, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, 28) I chose this quote to open this essay because it’s one of the first things Franklin talks about when he takes over in his autobiography. It shows that he has a relationship with god because he gives god the credit for all of the things he had accomplished. Throughout his biography he mentions religion quite a few times. He opposes organized religion, which according to him consists of: Attending Church,

Benjamin Franklin is considered to be one of the most well respected figures throughout American history. After growing up in a working class family, Franklin’s self determination to using his talents served as a guide to his success. Franklin’s many talents allowed him to obtain the occupation of a statesman, author, inventor, printer and scientist throughout his lifetime. Franklin’s values on education, relationships, and the strive for better served as the reagent to his upbringings. Franklins quest for achieving more is a true example of how striving for more can result in a better way of life.

Franklin also believed that “industry and thrift were being destroyed by aid to the poor,” (Stern & Axinn, 2012, p.28-29). He associated this with the law of nature and God, by stating that by providing aid for these individuals we are going against what God wanted for them. This went along with the view that had been developing at this time, that if someone was living in poor circumstances or had a tragedy occur it must be due to their own sins and their misfortune must have been a punishment from

Benjamin Franklin is one of the most brilliant men that has ever walked this earth. He gave us bifocals, the odometer, swim fins, and most importantly, electricity. Franklin left this world with the gift of many physical objects that we still use today, but he also left us with many thought-provoking quotes and writings. In Franklin's autobiography, he explains 13 virtues that will make anyone a better person if they follow them all. Most of the virtues can still be worked into our high maintenance, 2016 lives, while some have become more far-fetched throughout the years.

He is displaying the arising thought that was widespread during the 1700s-1800s, the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment movement “emphasized the power of reason to improve human society by seeking the truth and dispelling superstition”(Cain, et al 236). Logic and reason is given prominence over faith. Alternatively, Bradstreet might have said God handed her the success. The difference in the thought process between the two writers is attributed to the importance of religion in their writing. In the 1600s, Puritanism is at the forefront of the colonies and contributed to Bradstreet’s poems; whereas, Franklin is moving the country from the application of religion to applying scientific reasoning in life.

Relatively early in his life, Franklin rejected his familial bonds and struck out on his own. He writes in part one of his Autobiography:2 "At length a fresh Difference arising between my brother and me, I took upon me to assert my Freedom, presuming that he would not venture to produce new indentures" (70). The remainder of part one details the various adv entures he undertakes, the mistakes he made -- or "errata" as he terms them -- and his ultimate success as a printer in Philadelphia. It is this narrative, and those which followed, which created the uniquely American phenomena Lewis describes as the American Adam. "The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin" is America's primary Epic. ...[I]t is, at least from the point of view of its rhetoric, [American] culture itself"

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

Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography is an inspiring tale of his personal, as well as public achievement throughout his life. Franklin’s life embodies the exemplary model of a life composed of discipline, self-reliance and self improvement. From his humble beginnings as an apprentice candle and soap maker in his father’s business to a successful business man, author, philosopher, civil activist, politician scientist, inventor, and diplomat, above all Benjamin Franklin was, and still is, an American Icon and truly a pioneer of the American Dream.

Benjamin Franklin, although having a sort of unconventional schooling based on modern teachings, was a man of high intelligence. He had only stayed in school for two years, but was taken out because his family was too poor to pay the required tuition. There wasn’t any more formal schooling, but he learned much from his personal research and study, as well as through communication and experiences with others. In the duration of his time in school, he had become rather fond of writing, which led to his interest in his brother’s printing business. This was what began Franklin’s writing career as a whole. He

The story of Franklin as the self-made man begins with him being the first man who rose from poverty to prominence. No one else in American history started out so low and gradually ended up so high. After Franklin no man could claim to be self-made without producing his own unlikely beginnings and becoming a prominent man. His story as a self-made man began with his interest and talents as a writer. In his Autobiography he talks about his path to prosperity “one who would thrill later generations even as they misinterpreted’ ( ). The first page explains that the future generations might take interest in his life in account of having emerged from the state of “affluence and same degree f reputation in the world” (). Franklin the printer and self-made man became a figure of American History..