A review of Hero for Humanity: A Biography of William Wilberforce
Kevin Belmonte aims to demonstrate that William Wilberforce is one the most overlooked figures in our history and that his massive contribution to human dignity and welfare should be celebrated and emulated by future generations. Aside from his widely known achievements in abolishing the slave trade and slavery in Britain, the book also devotes considerable attention to Wilberforce’s efforts in promoting morality in British society, his family life and Wilberforce’s journey of the mind.
But according to the author, without a doubt, the crucial element that holds all the aspects together is his deeply held Christian faith, it is at the core of his being and informs everything …show more content…
The writer believes that his ideal “neatly turns Jefferson’s ideal on its head” and that “Wilberforce believed that when individual citizens promote the happiness of others they are most truly promoting or pursuing their own.” Wilberforce thus offers an alternative vision to the Jeffersonian model, he does not dismiss the Jefferson’s idea of the individual pursuit of happiness but believes there should be more when it comes to promoting a good society and achieving true happiness. In light of his personal example, it seems the thrust of the argument is that his ideal is not a piece of lofty and abstract moral theory, but a standard that is embodied in his life that touched and inspired his peers. This would make his ideals “a uniquely Judeo-Christian and sadly overlooked contribution to Anglo-American political thought.” It is reasonable to infer that the author believes the Jeffersonian model is becoming increasingly inadequate for America in the present age. Kevin seems to imply that recovering the overlooked model of Wilberforce could chart a new path for a nation that is struggling with growing polarization and moral
Kevin Belmonte aims to demonstrate that William Wilberforce is one the most overlooked figures in our history and that his massive contribution to human dignity and welfare should be celebrated and emulated by future generations. Aside from his widely known achievements in abolishing the slave trade and slavery in Britain, the book also devotes considerable attention to Wilberforce’s efforts in promoting morality in British society, his family life and Wilberforce’s journey of the mind.
But according to the author, without a doubt, the crucial element that holds all the aspects together is his deeply held Christian faith, it is at the core of his being and informs everything …show more content…
The writer believes that his ideal “neatly turns Jefferson’s ideal on its head” and that “Wilberforce believed that when individual citizens promote the happiness of others they are most truly promoting or pursuing their own.” Wilberforce thus offers an alternative vision to the Jeffersonian model, he does not dismiss the Jefferson’s idea of the individual pursuit of happiness but believes there should be more when it comes to promoting a good society and achieving true happiness. In light of his personal example, it seems the thrust of the argument is that his ideal is not a piece of lofty and abstract moral theory, but a standard that is embodied in his life that touched and inspired his peers. This would make his ideals “a uniquely Judeo-Christian and sadly overlooked contribution to Anglo-American political thought.” It is reasonable to infer that the author believes the Jeffersonian model is becoming increasingly inadequate for America in the present age. Kevin seems to imply that recovering the overlooked model of Wilberforce could chart a new path for a nation that is struggling with growing polarization and moral