Journal 6

Journal #6

From Ben Franklin’s The Autobiography (p. 80 – 83)

Write a well-developed paragraph in response to the following questions.

1. Explain what was involved in Franklin’s plan for self-perfection?   What conclusion did Franklin come to regarding the effectiveness of this plan?

Franklin’s plan for self-perfection was on that was made up of thirteen virtues. He thought that if he could achieve all thirteen then he would be perfect. He decided to take them one at a time because once one was mastered it would be easier to master the next. He created a book to mark down his faults when he did something wrong in a certain virtue. He was not able to achieve perfection because everyone makes mistakes in parts of life. He came to the conclusion that even though he did not become perfect, his attempt still made him a happier and better person. It was effective in a way that allowed him to be happy because he still attempted.

2. Do you feel that a plan such as Franklin’s would improve you as a person?  Why or why not?  What would be your top five virtues? 

I think that it could improve you as a person if you took it the right way. Nobody can achieve perfection so if you did this and did not get discouraged, it would make you a better person. If you try your best to be perfect it is better than if you did not try at all even if you failed. My top five virtues are order, silence, humility, justice, and sincerity.

Journal 5

Journal #5 – from Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” (p.95-6)

1. Identify the specific argument that Paine is making in each paragraph.  For each of the arguments, identify whether Paine is making an emotional, ethical, or logical appeal and suggest an effective counterargument.

          #1 Paine’s argument is that we need to stand up to Britain and they are being treated like slaves by being taxed so much. Paine is making an emotional appeal to the reader to support his argument. A counter argument is that Britain is sovereign over the colonies so they can tax them if they like. He uses non-sequiter by comparing taxation to slavery.

         

          #2 Paine is saying God is on their side and He will not let them lose. It is an ethical or moral argument. They are morally right so God will support them. The counter argument is that the British King is supposedly appointed by God so why would God help the Americans over the British if God chose who leads the British. Saying God is on your side is dogmatic. The logical fallacies are begging the question because they say God is on their side but it can’t be proved. He used argument from authority and begging the question.

          #3 America would not be happy and at its best if it did not separate from Britain. Paine says we should fight now because it is not right to let the children fight later on but for the people to fight right now. Logical part says it will happen sooner or later, emotional part and ethical part is about doing it for the children. There is always going to be problems with Britain so it is better to break away now. A counter argument is that the parents could die and that would have a negative effect on the children. Begging the question is used because it is not guaranteed that they are going to win the war.

          #4 He uses argument by analogy to call the King of Britain a thief. He says we are not supposed to just sit there and take it when the King does bad things like we wouldn’t sit there is a thief broke into our house. We should fight because the King has trampled on our rights and we must fight back after what he has done. Counter argument is that the King has the rights to do what he wants unlike a thief. He says that the King will be haunted by all the people that he has wronged in his doings.