Benjamin Franklin’s Life and Study Essay Example for Free

Benjamin Franklins Life and instruction EssayThe following discussion is based on an article, Franklin, Modernity, and Themes of Dissent in the Early Modern succession by Carla Mulford from Modern Language Studies, Vol. 28, No. 2. (Spring 1998), pp. 13-27. This has been taken from JSTOR Archives. JSTOR Archive is a trusted digital depositary for academic journals and scholarly literature around the world. It is supported by Libraries and Scholar Societies. The article discusses round Franklins views on Religion, Metaphysics and Deism. One fag end see how dissent was meant in Franklins days and how its comprehend now. Creation of American Dream, learning about socio metaphysical ways of leading a life and several(prenominal) facets of Franklins views on righteousness can be seen here. Franklin was a precursor among natural scientists and his work on natural philosophy is also discussed here. Also his association with his friends daughter as a tutor and assisting her to purs ue her study on natural philosophy and his views on historical product can be examined. He was more a deist than an atheist but people see him more as an atheist in his days and some of his family members too were of the same view.His similarities with George Whitman and other personalities ar discussed. His spoofs on religion, advice to people to indulge in philosophy and to be useful to fellow beings, his facts about Bible and Christianity during her molar concentration fathers days can be examined here. Franklin was a pioneer in more than one field and he was also a successful businessman and a diplomat. In authors view, history production involves some assumptions about the by and some relevance to national myth making and silencing the past.Since the stories of the past be forever expandable, the accumulation of multiple stories blocks a nations ability to accommodate stories of other kind which might disrupt the conventional and accepted wisdom about their founding fath ers. She quotes Trouillot suggestion that if the producers of the stories in the past lived inequalities then the stories yield unequal historical power (Carla Mulford, P 13). In the same context she says, US citizens who knows much about Benjamin Franklin doesnt know about his son and who bore him and the records which exist are silent on this issue.Also when people speak about confederation and constitution, they tend to speak about Anglo-American debates and the Civil war instead of the native people representing the six nations. Also she quoted Benedict Andersons linguistic communication US community alienates themselves from conventional ideas of dynastic empires, absolutisms, serfdoms, ghettoes and is more inclined to re exoterican institutions, nation-states (Carla Mulford, P 15). Benjamin Franklin was a Scholar, Deist, Philanthropist, Writer, Diplomat, Journalist, Civil Leader and a Scientist. on that point is more to his astounding brilliance in every individual field.Fr anklin and Religion His was a puritan family and it had much influence on him. His religious views were simple and straightforward. According to him, religion should make people do more good and help our fellow beings. Deists dont intend in orthodoxy and age old superstitious customs. Although he was a deist, he was more outspoken and sometimes confesses that this doctrine though true is less useful in making people virtuous. He ceaselessly believes that service to mankind is service to God. He had Unitarian views and sometimes visits Unitarian Churches along with his friends.However he cannot be included among the Unitarians as he never openly stated about his inclination towards Unitarianism. He used to go to Unitarian Churches with his friends. According to Wikipedia, Deism is a religious philosophy and movement that derives the beingness and nature of god from reason and personal experience in contrast to theism. He rejects orthodox Christian views. In a way he dissents the p rinciples of Church. In his days, dissents were those who speak against church. Religion used to be associated with to the highest degree everything and hence to speak against something orthodox was treated as dissentious.Explaining about the dissenting nature of his family he says how his wide big Grandfather conceals the English Bible from the officers of the spiritual court. He admires the Evangelist Preacher, George Whitefield. He says religion should be the best way in explaining morals to the people. In Geoffrey Sills lines of similarity between Franklin and Whitman Their strong interest in science and technology and America was a radical experiment in democracy and their similar views on religious dissent. Thus Franklins view of religion as a moral liberty brings closer outlook on the religion disciplines which people follow.He had friends among Unitarians, Deists and other religions. He treats all religions the same. When he supported his friend to setup a Unitarian Chur ch he stated that whoever leader comes no matter of religion should be allowed to preach. On his funeral, people who thronged to see him were a mix of all religions. There were views in those times that people who believe in science doubt religion. Franklin doesnt agree to this. sooner he sometimes confesses the virtues of religion. Franklin, a Scientist Franklin was arguably the first American Scientist. He crossed the Gulf flowing and he used to take weather forecasts on his horse ridings.He studied storms and discovered Electricity. He was also the founding father of Civic Science in America. One can see Franklin momentary a kite in their school text books. Being a Civic Scientist, he did public service and organized sermons. He formed the JUNTO, a discussion group for his friends, leaders and business people. He promoted Libraries, Civic Societies and Education, Hospitals and Schools. He developed Mail Delivery System and Dead Letter Office. With one of his french friends, he once queried, What signifies Philosophy that doesnt apply to some use? He regards insects worthy of an enquiry and research because, as per him, even appropriate use of insects can benefit humans. He says one should never neglect ones essential duties in keeping line with the study. He wrote in measly Richard for October, 1750, Hide not your Talents, they for use were made, / whats a Sun-Dial in a Shade He invented Franklin range of mountains and bi focal lens. He also studied sea water luminescence and ocean temperatures. He explained about the dangers of Lead Poisoning and hypothesized about Wave Theory of Light. Franklin, a DiplomatHe encourages Education. He wasnt sent to school due to his fathers poverty. He was mostly self educated. He worked in a printer shop initially and then later shifted to work in a press. He was one of the founding fathers of America. His role in American vicissitude is still remembered. Franklin was courageous and blunt and had very good rappo rt with French and resolved most of the issues during the war. Franklin with all his diplomacy skills worked in forming a peace treaty during the war with French. He helped in the establishment of Pennsylvanias first subject University.A town was named after him due to his services. He was also famous for his anecdotes. Conclusion This article covers around all aspects of Benjamin Franklin, his personality and his achievements. I can clearly examine his views on religion and how he was a dissent among his people. Till date whenever I heed of Franklin, I can tho surmise a bald guy flying a kite and running as this should be the solecism with most of the people. Our schools teach Franklins discovering Electricity in thunder storms. Its only after translation the essay that I found the innumerable qualities and facets of his life.I came to know now that he was not only a scientist but a diplomat. You would see him in almost every walk of life. There is no surprise to find his na me under every subject. Apart from Electricity I usually hear his name linked with American Revolution, his diplomacy in having a peace treaty with France. Now I can imagine how great a personality like him would be. His life spanned over eighty geezerhood ranging from a writer to a scientist and to a Legislative member. He was the founding father of the concept of Great American Dream. Ive also found out from this essay about his works on immanent Philosophy.Ive also learned about his role as an educationist and in promoting Women Education. Also I came to know about his friends among several religious groups and about his mutual interest in both deism and Unitarianism. He is famous for his wit and humor. There was a story that during Constitution Writing which Franklin resolved a hard stop by asking the Ministers in the Council to pray for a few minutes. Most of them didnt agree and he resolved the issue without a prayer. America would remember Franklin as long as they remember Martin Luther King.Work CitesWorld Wide Web 1) Ben Franklin Scientist and Philanthropist. http//www. nps. gov/archive/inde/Franklin_Court/Pages/franklinscientist. hypertext mark-up language 2) Franklins Contributions to the American Revolution as a Diplomat in France. http//www. ushistory. org/valleyforge/history/franklin. html 3) Lane, Neal. Benjamin Franklin, Civic Scientist. October 2003, page 41. http//www. physicstoday. org/vol-56/iss-10/p41. html 4) Rev. Clear, Bruce. THE RELIGION OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. Sunday. May 1. 2005. All Souls Unitarian Church. Indianapolis. http//allsoulsuuindy. org/ser20050501. htm.