The political philosophy of Benjamin Franklin

Author(s)

• Pangle, Lorraine Smith

Bibliographic Information

The political philosophy of Benjamin Franklin

Lorraine Smith Pangle

（The political philosophy of the American founders）

Johns Hopkins University, 2007

• : hard
• : pbk

Note

Includes index

Description and Table of Contents

Description

The most famous man of his age, Benjamin Franklin was an individual of many talents and accomplishments. He invented the wood-burning stove and the lightning rod, he wrote Poor Richard's Almanac and The Way to Wealth, and he traveled the world as a diplomat. But it was in politics that Franklin made his greatest impact. Franklin's political writings are full of fascinating reflections on human nature, on the character of good leadership, and on why government is such a messy and problematic business. Drawing together threads in Franklin's writings, Lorraine Smith Pangle illuminates his thoughts on citizenship, federalism, constitutional government, the role of civil associations, and religious freedom. Of the American Founders, Franklin had an unrivaled understanding of the individual human soul. At the heart of his political vision is a view of democratic citizenship, a rich understanding of the qualities of the heart and mind necessary to support liberty and sustain happiness. This concise introduction reflects Franklin's valuable insight into political issues that continue to be relevant today.

Table of Contents

Note on Sources Acknowledgments Introduction The Earliest Franklin Franklin, Socrates, and Modern Rationalism 1. The Economic Basis of Liberty The Weber Critique The Value of Work Work, Acquisitiveness, and Nature A Republican Political Economy The Meaning of Leisure 2. The Virtuous Citizen The Ethos of the Merchant Franklin's Early Thoughts on Virtue and Vice Franklin's Retreat from His Early Views The Project for Moral Perfection Humility, Pride, and Vanity The Art of Virtue 3. Philanthropy and Civil Associations Man as a Political Animal Franklin and Tocqueville on Associations Franklin's Benevolent Projects Democratic Leadership 4. Thoughts on Government The Albany Plan of Union Of Proprietors and Kings Statesmanship and Public Relations Natural Right and Human Opinion Representation and Federalism Democratic Diplomacy The Constitutional Convention Immigration, Race, and Slavery 5. The Ultimate Questions Enlightenment and the Adequacy of Reason The Civic Benefits of Religion The Defects of Christianity Toleration and Religious Freedom The Existence of God Eros, Death, and Eternity Notes Recommended Readings Index

by "Nielsen BookData"

Details

• NCID: BA85082845
• ISBN:
  • 9780801879319
  • 9780801886669
• LCCN: 2006101684
• Country Code: us
• Title Language Code: eng
• Text Language Code: eng
• Place of Publication: Baltimore
• Pages/Volumes: xi, 277 p.
• Size: 22 cm
• Classification:
  • LCC : JC211.F73
  • DC22 : 320.092
• Subject Headings:
  • LCSH : Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790
• Parent Bibliography ID:
  • BA85082834