Reflection Blog: Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography

                When we think of Benjamin Franklin, we think of electricity. Although this was obviously a major accomplishment, Franklin did and accomplished so much more in his life. As a scientist, politician, and writer, it is easy to say that Benjamin Franklin was an extremely intelligent man (Quick Biography). A person with such intelligence as Franklin most likely has a good reason for the things he does and says, which is why his virtues and how he demonstrated them exemplifies Rationalism.

            To begin, Franklin’s set of virtues, created by him, exemplify Rationalism in several ways. A quality of Rationalism that the virtues show is using reasoning to back up your points. In virtues five and six, Frugality and Industry, Franklin backs up why he will waste nothing and use all of his time wisely with the facts that he wants to avoid debt and make use of his work time (Holden 84, 85). He obviously put this virtue to his benefit, discovering electricity and inventions from it, such as the kite (Quick Biography). By backing this up with reasoning to make it a solid example, it shows Rationalism. Along with the virtues themselves, Franklin also backs them up by using a chart, marking his emphasis and act of doing the virtues (Holden 85, 86). By making and filling out these charts, Franklin gives evidence that his set of virtues work and that they are not just for show and tell.

            Additionally, the way Franklin carries out his virtues and the way he acts also exemplify Rationalism. In the piece, Franklin says that he did not like the minister; therefore he did not attended church regularly on Sundays (Holden 81). This is a major example of Rationalism. He can openly say this, and not be shunned or accused of anything. He also gives back up to why he does not like the minister, because he has very “uninteresting” and “dry” sermons (Holden 81). Franklin also has back up to why he made his own set of virtues instead of following the virtues of the church, as they did in the Puritan period. “And that all crime will be punished, and virtue rewarded, either here or hereafter” (Holden 80). In saying this, Franklin tells the reader that because God says those who are virtuous are in turn rewarded, he can be virtuous in any way that he wants and still be accepted and loved by God. The people of the Rationalism time still centered around God, but they did not do it nearly as harsh, and were not judgmental of those who did it more or less than them.

Overall, Rationalism can be found anywhere in Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography. Franklin was obviously an intelligent man, and therefore his virtues can be backed up with evidence. Franklin uses facts and evidence to prove each of his virtues and actions he makes because of them true. This is the major aspect of the Rationalism period. Franklin’s virtues and actions can be used to prove that Rationalism was a very effective way of thinking, writing, and acting.

Holden, Liberty Emery, and Benjamin Franklin. Benjamin Franklin: Autobiography. N.p.: n.p., 1898. Print.

"Quick Biography of Benjamin Franklin." Quick Biography of Benjamin Franklin. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2012. <http://www.ushistory.org/franklin/info/index.htm>.