Benjamin Franklin brightened the Enlightenment through being involved in society and sharing his thoughts. Many know him for his scientific discoveries, but while yes those were influential, he also influenced America in many other ways such as: liberalism, religion, and conservativism.
Benjamin Franklin, born in Boston of 1706, showed great talent at a young age. He was born into a poor family, but didn’t let the poverty stop him. Through hard work and determination, he managed to work his way out of poverty and become one of the most affluent men of his time. He also happened to work his way out of Boston, living in Philadelphia, London, and Paris also. Unlike most people of his time, he did not stay rural, venturing out of his hometown. …show more content…
He would often give up things like going to church to spend more time reading. At one point, he even gave up eating meat to save up for books. He was constantly trying new things and learning all that he could. This led him to his first invention at age eleven. He invented a pair of fins to wear on his hands as he swam. It was small inventions like these that sparked his creativity at a young age. It was also small inventions like these that eventually led to Franklin to having a deeper appreciation for European sciences, again, also unlike many during his time.
Being a true man of the enlightenment, Franklin was always searching for an answer to questions. Whether his questions were scientific and led to inventions, or were philosophical and led to discussions, Franklin was always in search of answers. While in Philadelphia, he formed a group called the Junto. The Junto was a group of men that got together to discuss the social, political, and scientific questions that Franklin had. Franklin believed that the answers that his group would come up with, could improve society. Franklin gives a definition of what he believes his group to be in his …show more content…
Franklin states in his autobiography, “Some books against Deism fell into my hands; they were said to be the substance of sermons preached at Boyle's Lectures. It happened that they wrought an effect on me quite contrary to what was intended by them; for the arguments of the Deists, which were quoted to be refuted, appeared to me much stronger than the refutations; in short, I soon became a thorough Deist.” Franklin’s deist beliefs furthered his scientific discoveries. He believed that his scientific discoveries proved the practicality of God’s laws. He is known for stating this belief in the Constitutional Convention, “the longer I live, the more convincing proof I see of this truth—that God governs in the affairs of men.” (Franklin)
This is why deism was such a huge part of the enlightenment. People like Ben Franklin brought up these deistic ideas to society, furthering society to think reasonably about everything. Ben Franklin was one of the biggest deistic influences to society through his scientific inventions and discoveries. His discoveries were brought to the public eye because they truly changed society forever. He believed that his inventions and discoveries were proof of
Benjamin Franklin, born in Boston of 1706, showed great talent at a young age. He was born into a poor family, but didn’t let the poverty stop him. Through hard work and determination, he managed to work his way out of poverty and become one of the most affluent men of his time. He also happened to work his way out of Boston, living in Philadelphia, London, and Paris also. Unlike most people of his time, he did not stay rural, venturing out of his hometown. …show more content…
He would often give up things like going to church to spend more time reading. At one point, he even gave up eating meat to save up for books. He was constantly trying new things and learning all that he could. This led him to his first invention at age eleven. He invented a pair of fins to wear on his hands as he swam. It was small inventions like these that sparked his creativity at a young age. It was also small inventions like these that eventually led to Franklin to having a deeper appreciation for European sciences, again, also unlike many during his time.
Being a true man of the enlightenment, Franklin was always searching for an answer to questions. Whether his questions were scientific and led to inventions, or were philosophical and led to discussions, Franklin was always in search of answers. While in Philadelphia, he formed a group called the Junto. The Junto was a group of men that got together to discuss the social, political, and scientific questions that Franklin had. Franklin believed that the answers that his group would come up with, could improve society. Franklin gives a definition of what he believes his group to be in his …show more content…
Franklin states in his autobiography, “Some books against Deism fell into my hands; they were said to be the substance of sermons preached at Boyle's Lectures. It happened that they wrought an effect on me quite contrary to what was intended by them; for the arguments of the Deists, which were quoted to be refuted, appeared to me much stronger than the refutations; in short, I soon became a thorough Deist.” Franklin’s deist beliefs furthered his scientific discoveries. He believed that his scientific discoveries proved the practicality of God’s laws. He is known for stating this belief in the Constitutional Convention, “the longer I live, the more convincing proof I see of this truth—that God governs in the affairs of men.” (Franklin)
This is why deism was such a huge part of the enlightenment. People like Ben Franklin brought up these deistic ideas to society, furthering society to think reasonably about everything. Ben Franklin was one of the biggest deistic influences to society through his scientific inventions and discoveries. His discoveries were brought to the public eye because they truly changed society forever. He believed that his inventions and discoveries were proof of