Ben Franklin: Part 2

Carbonic alloy engraving. Engraved by A.H. Richie.
Drawn by C. N. Cochin. 1777. 

Today we are getting closer reading of Franklin. To do this you have a number of study questions to consider and answer as you reread. The purpose is to ultimately assist you in your understanding Rationalism and how it compares to Puritanism, the philosophical period that preceded it.

Agenda:

1. Lord's Prayer
2. Reading Journal (10/4): Franklin
1. What details in his Autobiography demonstrate a Rationalist worldview? Point to at least 2.
2. Franklin writes about "arriving at moral perfection" (p. 69). What does this say about his belief regarding the nature of man? 
3. Explain Franklin's strategy in his "list of virtues." What themes are recurrent? 
4. Pick any 2 of Franklin's Aphorisms (p. 74 in Lit Book) and explain them. 
3. Read Autobiographical Essay. Due of next week (10/12). 
1. Check out the Autobiographical Essay Rubric for how I will score this essay.
4. The Puritan preacher and theologian, Jonathan Edwards:
1. Read Bio Blurb on Edwards (p. 44)
2. Read "Sinner's in the Hands of an Angry God" (p. 46).
5. Watch John Adams
6. Review HW:
1. Begin Vocab HW for this week: Unit 3 words:
1. Pick any five words from Unit 3. Know each word's part of speech. Write a short paragraph that correctly uses these five words, is grammatically correct, and addresses one of the following prompts:
1. Prompt 1: Explain what a Rationalist is. What is their fascination with reason and science?
2. Prompt 2: Write a brief conversation between Benjamin Franklin and Jonathan Edwards.
2. Be sure to note which prompt you choose.
2. Study Vocab Unit 3 and Bedford 8-9 for quiz
3. Read Autobiographical Essay -- due 10/12.
4. Review the Lecture Notes on Rationalism