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 to follow thirteen virtues and rid his vices. He practiced one virtue at a time until he mastered it. He took a week to perfect himself with that virtue. Once he mastered a virtue, he moved on to the next. Eventually, he would be able to practice them all at once and achieve moral perfection. He carried around a book in which his virtues were written, and cataloged his progress. He came to the conclusion that following these virtues was harder than expected. He didn’t master all of them, as he expected, but he did feel like a better man for trying.
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?
His plan may help me as a person if I try my hardest to follow them every day. Although, I feel that that I would end up getting frustrated if I failed to follow a virtue. I would most likely give up after a while, like Franklin. My top five virtues are Silence, Order, Justice, Sincerity, and Humility. They seem to be the virtues that apply to my life the most.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Paine - 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 He was saying that the revolution would be hard, but it will be worth it in the end. The British don’t have the power to tax and “enslave” them. Only God has the power to take away freedom. The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. Paine is making an emotional, ethical, and logical appeal. The counter argument could be that the Americans owe the English because they were granted everything from England. It’s going to be bad if you lose. The logical fallacies are Sentimental Appeal and Faulty Analogy.
#2 God won’t let us lose. He wants us to win. It has an ethical and logical appeal. A counter argument would be that God doesn’t want war at all, so he doesn’t support either side. Another argument could be that God is on England’s side instead.
#3 The argument he is trying to make is that they should fight now and not later. The appeals are logic, emotional, and ethical. A counter argument would be that things might work themselves out or America could lose the war and life would get worse.
#4 The argument is that we would not fight an offensive war, but we are fighting a defensive war. The King is a thief, therefore we should fight. The appeal is emotional. An effective counter argument would be that Britain is more powerful, and if we lose, we will get stricter punishment.
2. Can you identify any of the logical fallacies that we discussed in Paine’s arguments? If so, which ones? Overall, what do you feel are the strengths and weaknesses of Paine’s arguments?
The logical fallacies are Faulty Analogy, Sentimental Appeal, Begging the Question, Ad Hominem
His strengths are that he is a prominent historical figure and easily persuades through means other than logic. He inspires people through emotion and ethics. His arguments’ weaknesses are that he doesn’t make a convincing logical argument.
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 He was saying that the revolution would be hard, but it will be worth it in the end. The British don’t have the power to tax and “enslave” them. Only God has the power to take away freedom. The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. Paine is making an emotional, ethical, and logical appeal. The counter argument could be that the Americans owe the English because they were granted everything from England. It’s going to be bad if you lose. The logical fallacies are Sentimental Appeal and Faulty Analogy.
#2 God won’t let us lose. He wants us to win. It has an ethical and logical appeal. A counter argument would be that God doesn’t want war at all, so he doesn’t support either side. Another argument could be that God is on England’s side instead.
#3 The argument he is trying to make is that they should fight now and not later. The appeals are logic, emotional, and ethical. A counter argument would be that things might work themselves out or America could lose the war and life would get worse.
#4 The argument is that we would not fight an offensive war, but we are fighting a defensive war. The King is a thief, therefore we should fight. The appeal is emotional. An effective counter argument would be that Britain is more powerful, and if we lose, we will get stricter punishment.
2. Can you identify any of the logical fallacies that we discussed in Paine’s arguments? If so, which ones? Overall, what do you feel are the strengths and weaknesses of Paine’s arguments?
The logical fallacies are Faulty Analogy, Sentimental Appeal, Begging the Question, Ad Hominem
His strengths are that he is a prominent historical figure and easily persuades through means other than logic. He inspires people through emotion and ethics. His arguments’ weaknesses are that he doesn’t make a convincing logical argument.
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