1. Benjamin Franklin Enlightenment

2. Enlightenment The period of European thought characterized by the emphasis on experience and reason, mistrust religion and traditional authority, and a gradual emergence of the ideals of liberal, secular, democratic society. The period of European thought characterized by the emphasis on experience and reason, mistrust religion and traditional authority, and a gradual emergence of the ideals of liberal, secular, democratic society.

3. Isaac Newton Isaac Newton Thomas Hobbes Thomas Hobbes John Locke. John Locke.

4. Deism and Unitarianism The emergence of Deism in the 18th century America had much to do with the influence of Enlightenment thinkers. Thomas Jefferson summarized Deism as follows: The emergence of Deism in the 18th century America had much to do with the influence of Enlightenment thinkers. Thomas Jefferson summarized Deism as follows: The doctrines of Jesus are simple, and tend all to the happiness of man. 1). That there is only one God, and he all-perfect. The doctrines of Jesus are simple, and tend all to the happiness of man. 1). That there is only one God, and he all-perfect. 2). That there is a future state of rewards and punishment. 2). That there is a future state of rewards and punishment. 3). That to love God with all thy heart and thy neighbor as thyself is the sum of religion. 3). That to love God with all thy heart and thy neighbor as thyself is the sum of religion.

5. Their statements are strikingly similar to those summarized by Jefferson: Their statements are strikingly similar to those summarized by Jefferson: 1). The fatherhood of God 1). The fatherhood of God 2). The brotherhood of man 2). The brotherhood of man 3). The leadership of Jesus. 3). The leadership of Jesus. 4). Salvation by character. 4). Salvation by character. 5). Progress of mankind onward and upward forever 5). Progress of mankind onward and upward forever

6. The American Revolution However, since about one-third of the population remained loyal to Britain, there was a genuine fear for a independence upheaval. Two major political forces emerged: the Federalists who were pro-English, conservative and representative of commercial and final interests; the Republicans who were pro-French, liberal and representative of the agrarian interests. Their conflict centered on who should rule and how democratic the new nation should be. However, since about one-third of the population remained loyal to Britain, there was a genuine fear for a independence upheaval. Two major political forces emerged: the Federalists who were pro-English, conservative and representative of commercial and final interests; the Republicans who were pro-French, liberal and representative of the agrarian interests. Their conflict centered on who should rule and how democratic the new nation should be.

7. As a result of compromises, the state churches were disestablished; the principle of religion was affirmed; primogeniture and entail were abolished; slavery was abolished in the Northern states. Although many states “ people ”— meaning those who have rights to vote and to hold office — were still white males with property. As a result of compromises, the state churches were disestablished; the principle of religion was affirmed; primogeniture and entail were abolished; slavery was abolished in the Northern states. Although many states “ people ”— meaning those who have rights to vote and to hold office — were still white males with property.

8. Brief introduction to Benjamin Franklin an inventor, scientist, printer, political statesman, diplomat, an exemplary self-made man, a revolutionary hero, and, of course, an author. an inventor, scientist, printer, political statesman, diplomat, an exemplary self-made man, a revolutionary hero, and, of course, an author.

9. His works Poor Richard ’ s Almanacs Poor Richard ’ s Almanacs The Autobiography The Autobiography

10. Proverbs God help those who help themselves God help those who help themselves Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise Three may keep a secret if two of them are dead Three may keep a secret if two of them are dead The cat in gloves catches no mice 。 The cat in gloves catches no mice 。

11. Interpreting the excerpt from The Autobiography Interpreting the excerpt from The Autobiography

12. Criticism on Franklin Nathaniel Hawthorne remarked that Franklin ’ s axioms “ teach men but a very small portion of their duties … They are all about getting money or saving it. ” Nathaniel Hawthorne remarked that Franklin ’ s axioms “ teach men but a very small portion of their duties … They are all about getting money or saving it. ”

13. Mark Twain did not like the effect of Franklin ’ s teaching on young boys. He said that Franklin was “ full of animosity towards boys ” and that Franklin was always telling them how not to waste time. Mark Twain did not like the effect of Franklin ’ s teaching on young boys. He said that Franklin was “ full of animosity towards boys ” and that Franklin was always telling them how not to waste time.

14. D.H. Lawrence criticism was more comprehensive, incisive and often insightful. He laughs at Franklin ’ s idea that man can be perfected, saying that it would be like the “ perfectibility of the Ford car. ”D.H. Lawrence criticism was more comprehensive, incisive and often insightful. He laughs at Franklin ’ s idea that man can be perfected, saying that it would be like the “ perfectibility of the Ford car. ”

15. Questions about B. Franklin 1. What is your general impression of this selection? 1. What is your general impression of this selection? 2. What is the appropriate topic of this part? 2. What is the appropriate topic of this part? 3. Why did Franklin make this project ? Is it easy to carry out? 3. Why did Franklin make this project ? Is it easy to carry out? 4. How did he decide the virtues? Are there some difficulties in doing so? 4. How did he decide the virtues? Are there some difficulties in doing so?

16. 5. Do you think the 13 virtues are equally important? Have you any preference? 5. Do you think the 13 virtues are equally important? Have you any preference? 6. What is his strategic approach in carrying it out? 6. What is his strategic approach in carrying it out? 7. What is his tactic approach in carrying it out? 7. What is his tactic approach in carrying it out? 8. Have you any similar experience when you were a high-school student? 8. Have you any similar experience when you were a high-school student?