The Age of Enlightenment was the time in the eighteenth century where the emergence of intellectuals reformed the society and brought in advanced knowledge in both America and Europe. This time was characterized by rapid Intellectual and scientific inventions through diffusion of ideas and knowledge. In my writing I will focus on Henry David Thoreau and Benjamin Franklin, some key influential figures during this period. Critically examine their personal thoughts and views towards the freedom and independence of other individuals.
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
The 84 year old American is a vital image in the American history and always been referred to as the most famous man in the entire America. This is due to his works in the laying of foundation and creation of this country. Franklin worked with politics, printing and sciences while interacting with the French, American and British. This made him to harness vital social and philosophical movements, which influenced the birth of America. During his time he was at the peak of his social and political influence, explaining why he was able to command such a strong influence and authority (Franklin, pg 29).
Moral reform
Franklin used most of his efforts to write against personal aspects of life such as excessive drinking and gambling. This represented a significant concentration to a reflective transformation in self and body image. This consist a wider range of political, economic and religious change that emerged during this period. He depicted revolution as the struggle between reason and affiliation towards a religion. His approach of developmental habit was used as a tool for achieving behavior change among individuals. He stressed about initiating a slow change in an individual’s external behaviors instead of attention of the bodily internal spiritual change.
Slavery
Franklin owned slaves this time where human labor was the most crucial elements in the agriculture sector. He later became and abolitionists and was in the forefront in the campaign against slavery. According to him slavery is inhuman, unjust and contravenes the rights and freedom of humans. By involving himself in various charity works he depicted himself as concerned activist who visualize a nation where all people are free and able to increase their livelihood (Franklin, pg 32).
Self determination
Franklin thoughts and ideas were to implement a new age of reasoning in the nation and the world. The aim was to replace many aspects of the current period of governance and belief system. This included blind faith, arbitrary governance and administration, selfish politics, brutal force, primitive culture and traditions and uncontrolled individual feelings in ethics and relations. This was necessary since it born the idea of every person had the right to self control themselves and decide what and how to live guided with the critical reasoning and conscience.
Equality before the law
This was a positive step towards a modern world and independence of America. Franklin had the influence to shape up the judicial system that was biased toward the wealthy in the society. Enabling a just and equitable judiciary that passes clear and non partisan judgments on the basis of a person’s hierarchy in the society, race, religion or education status. The courts must observe the rule of law at all times enhancing freedom of expression and speech (Franklin, pg 42).
Henri David Thoreau (1816-1862)
David was among the key figures that came to be referred to as the American Transcendentalists Movement, cultural and philosophical movement that started in America during the nineteenth century. Its adherents believed that knowledge is achieved through the contemplation and intuition of the internal spirit. Henry was popular for his essay dubbed Civil disobedience. An essay he wrote after he was unable to pay his tax. He was also involved with the Romanticism movement in America (Thoreau, pg 46).
Governments Function
Henry refers to the government as the mode that all people have chosen to execute their will. This portrays the government as dependent body that has no authority independent of the social will. He focuses on the aspects that the community is stable can control its members without any interference. He believes that the government although a useful tool, can be used in only useful occasions. His vision is that of community self control without the government, this enable easier control of rules and members within the community setting (Thoreau, pg 52).
Slavery
Henry Thoreau vehemently disputes slavery. He categorically denounces it as unjust actions performed by governments. He challenged the activities between the U.S and Mexico that seemed to be promoting slavery in Mexico. Moreover, he was infuriated with the imperialist mode of acquiring land by the American government. This shows his support for the people by voicing an authoritative voice that opposed all the illegal and unjust moves by the government during that time (Thoreau, pg 52).
Free exercise of reason and democracy
Thoreau supports the idea of a rational, self determination, free willed and autonomous way of reasoning. He uses an analogy of government workers who are used like machines; they do not have the power to exercise judgments based on the moral sense. This is form of slavery that he condemns the government of practicing. Thoreau states that slavery is the perpetuation of the government. Taxing him was illegitimate and a moral affront. Furthermore, he questions the government’s moral authority to force his obedience to pay taxes. He uses a non violent approach to disobey the authority and struggle for civil rights. The freedom and rights of everyone to express what they perceive as wrong should be enhanced since there was a new constitution just passed. Rights including the African American were included in the constitution, their freedom to move from one state to another also enhanced by strong influential people like Henri Thoreau (Thoreau, pg 53).
In relation to the Enlightenment there are several aspects that changed due to the contribution of these genius minds ways of thinking. Scientific rationality and improving technology was being witnessed during this time. The most significant results of the contributions of Franklin and Henry were the abolition of slavery, cruel punitive actions and torture. This signified liberation in terms of freedom and human rights of the slaves from the African American race. Freedom of conscience driven by the separation of state and churches became a turning point (Manning, pg 41).
Thoreau transcendentalism had a growing interest in valuing and respecting the position of women in society. Out of the movement women were able to vote in the American elections signifying love for every race all over the nation. They also fought against slavery of both the Native Americans and African Americans during the emancipation period.
There were circumstances that initiated the works of both Franklin and Thoreau. First, Franklin came from a wealthy family with a background of printing. This enabled him to quickly rise since printing was the greatest invention at during that time coupled with learning. On the other hand, Thoreau’s refusal to pay tax enabled him to write an article on disobedience that received much publication.
The enlightened societies, initiated a number of projects such as draining of swamps, roads and canal construction, improvement in commerce and industry sectors and subsidized nutrition for the entire population. There was the enhancement of the administration, governance and bureaucracies resulting to efficiency and uniformity of laws.
This resulted to promotion of an all inclusive that saw the end of slavery in the United States of America. Emancipation never witnessed violence on the side of the ex slaves or the masters. The end of slavery marked the rebirth of a new nation in terms of freedom of African Americans and peaceful relation. Though Progress has been slow, it has taken centuries for the black community to gain equal rights (Manning, pg 54).
It is clear that the guiding metaphor of the transcendental movement is that of abandoning childhood and dependency and becoming a self sustainable individual. An individual should initiate refection on the aspects that are moral in the society and decided whether his basis of analysis proves an established morality its validity.
In spite of transcendentalism not lasting much during the mid eighteenth century, there was a significant revival in the American literature through its members. Barriers to all these practices have been overturned and through sound policing and understanding the educational and cultural differences, it is my American dream to see a responsible citizenship and government.
WORKS CITED
Franklin, Benjamin. “The Autobiography (Selections).” Coursepack CORE 2002 / ENGL 3386.
Ed. James Gifford. Vancouver: Fairleigh Dickinson University, 2012. 19-47.
Thoreau, Henry David. “Civil Disobedience.” Coursepack CORE 2002 / ENGL 3386. Ed. James
Gifford. Vancouver: Fairleigh Dickinson University, 2012. 1-18.
Manning, Susan. Enlightenment and Emancipation. Lewisburg, Pa: Bucknell Univ. Press, 2006.
Print.
