Puritanism and Pragmatism Essay - 705 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. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Perhaps the greatest difference between Winthrop and Franklin was their†¦show more content†¦Franklin’s view of religion was not, â€Å"the worship of God or even salvation, but humankind’s well-being on earth† (57). Certainly, the religious philosophies of Winthrop and Franklin contrasted greatly. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Another difference between these two men was their views on money. The economic growth of the region contributed to the downfall of Puritanism and the overall change of Boston. Nash and Graves write, â€Å"The ninety years that separated Winthrop’s Boston from Franklin’s had witnessed a gradual erosion of spiritual energies. 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 â€Å"the straitjacket of Puritanism.† The life of Benjamin Franklin is a typically rags-to-ric hes story. He knew that hard work would pay off in the end, and â€Å"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. Winthrop’s and Franklin’s economicShow MoreRelatedPuritanism and Pragmatism Essay728 Words   |  3 Pagesto establish Winthrops city upon a hill, 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 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