Rationalism

1) Two views of God reflected in Johnathan Edwards' and Ben Franklin


The contrast between the Puritan spirit and the spirit of Rationalism can be fairly represented in the different conceptions of the deity found in the writings of the preacher Johnathan Edwards and the widely talented Ben Franklin. Puritans like Edwards believed in a very personal God, one who knew and judged and would punish severely the wickedness of a humanity that was born in sin. It was the proper duty of us all, Edwards believed, to obey without question the will of God as revealed in the bible. On the other hand a Rationalist like Franklin believed that God’s purposes were to be understood by use of the human reason, particularly as guided by scientific laws and truths.

In today’s world, a woman’s right to abortion would be opposed by Puritans as being contrary to God’s teaching; it would be in line with the thinking of Rationalism to allow a woman to follow her own reasonable thinking in this matter.




3) Franklin’s Rationalism can be seen in his description of his attempts at moral perfection. He realizes the difficulties in achieving perfection, but he goes about it systematically and reasonably. First he lists from his reading those qualities that are generally consider to be virtues ( temperance, industry, humility, etc.) then Franklin provides for each virtue some major practical ways by which each virtue can be made into a habit in his life. For instance, under the virtue “Silence,” Franklin provides the “precept” “Speak not but what my benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.”

4) My list of thirteen virtues
Determination
Courage
Honesty
Dependability
Loyalty
Respect
Obedience
Thoughtfulness
Generosity
Patience
Tolerance
Open-mindedness
Modesty

No I don’t think list of virtues are enough to produce moral perfection. Two other necessary things are guidance and example of others. Our actions depend upon not just a list of general qualities but also, I think, upon the help we get from others in pointing the right way an in serving as a model for the kind of person that we would like to become.