Puritanism and Pragmatism Essay - 728 Words

Although they lived on the same continent, John Winthrop and Benjamin Franklin lived in very different worlds. These men are similar in some respects, but overwhelmingly they are different. For example, John Winthrop and Benjamin Franklin can be considered leaders in their time frame. Winthrop led the Puritans; Franklin led his country to war. Both men also possessed many of the same virtues such as patience and work ethic. Despite these similarities, John Winthrop and Benjamin Franklin had a different style of living and a different philosophy of life. These differences are most notable in regards to religion, economics, and science. Perhaps the greatest difference between Winthrop and Franklin was their view of religion.†¦show more content†¦The initial New England ideal of a closely knit, covenanted community proved difficult to maintain in the face of economic growth (52). The region began to grow not only in population, but also in prosperity. The Puritans were expected to support the church by giving money to their ministers. The later generations born in Massachusetts Bay were more interested in keeping their wealth than fearing the wrath of God. New England merchants were accused of making too much money; they began to want relief and freedom from the straitjacket of Puritanism. The life of Benjamin Franklin is a typically rags-to-riches story. He knew that hard work would pay off in the end, and by the age of forty-two he had accumulated sufficient wealth to reach his goal of the ‘free and easy life (54). Unlike Winthrop, Franklin believed that the money one earns is rightfully his own. Winthrops and Franklins economic philosophies reflected the time period in which they lived. A final difference between Winthrop and Franklin dealt with their notions of science. Naturally, for the Puritans, science meshed with religion. It says on page 60, Nature was Gods handiwork; its processes showed the effect of His guidance. Consequ ently, to study natural phenomena was to observe the wisdom, power, and glory of God. Science for the Puritan mind was an act of worship. On the other hand, Franklin was determined to understand how things work; heShow MoreRelated Puritanism and Pragmatism Essay705 Words   |  3 Pagesto establish Winthrop’s â€Å"city upon a hill,† â€Å"was the need for the people to obey their governors and for the governors to obey God. If they did, God would adopt and protect the wilderness colony as He had the ancient Jews† (Nash amp; Graves 31). Puritanism reflects the notion of pre-destination, indoctrinated by Calvinism, in which there are only two kinds of people: the elect and the non-elect. The elect were the people, usually ministers and high-ranking officers, who have been chosen by God toRead MoreFranklin: Puritan or Enlightenment? Essay868 Words   |  4 Pageslove work for man#161;#175;s salvation, but as for man. All he could do (if ever there was anything he could do) was to worship the Almighty and hope had been handed down and been very much alive on the contrary. It#161;#175;s safe to say that Puritanism was still much prevailing at that time and even the enlightenment thinkers themselves carried much the puritan belief. Analysis The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin represented most of the enlightenment ideas of his. However, it also includesRead MoreThe American Culture : Key Values10736 Words   |  43 PagesThe American Culture Some Key Values †¢ Individuality †¢ Results orientation †¢ Pragmatism †¢ Direct communication style Greetings and Goodbyes For most Americans a smile and verbal greeting are appropriate. In a business context, however, a firm handshake is used. Weak handshakes can be perceived as a sign of weakness. It is likely the handshake will be brief. Men usually wait for women to offer their hand before shaking. Also, direct eye contact is also appreciated. Americans tend to dislike over-formalised