Social Beliefs
Though Benjamin Franklin is commonly recognized as a writer, diplomat, and inventor, it could be argued that his mark on the world was made through politics. He published many works on the way of human nature, good leadership, and government. He was raised in a Puritan household, but later became a self-proclaimed deist, meaning he believed in higher power, just perhaps not in the form of an all-ruling God. Benjamin Franklin was an Enlightenment thinker, and turned to democracy, science, reason, and secularism rather than belief. He was also a liberal, meaning he was open to new behavior and was willing to discard traditional values.
Benjamin Franklin believed that if a government was corrupt, unjust, or not respecting the rights of the people, it is in the duty of the citizens to overthrow the government and reestablish it. He believed in social contract - that citizens will allow themselves to be governed if the government will protect their rights. He expressed the view that the government was morally obliged to serve citizens. Franklin also thought that religion should not limit citizens' rights, and believed in the separation of Church and State.
An open humanitarian, Franklin spent a greater part of his life improving the lives of others. He believed that all men were created equal and should be entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. He even began questioning his own beliefs after visiting a school where African children were being taught. Franklin believed that it was a citizen's duty to always continue improving the community they live in.
Benjamin Franklin believed that if a government was corrupt, unjust, or not respecting the rights of the people, it is in the duty of the citizens to overthrow the government and reestablish it. He believed in social contract - that citizens will allow themselves to be governed if the government will protect their rights. He expressed the view that the government was morally obliged to serve citizens. Franklin also thought that religion should not limit citizens' rights, and believed in the separation of Church and State.
An open humanitarian, Franklin spent a greater part of his life improving the lives of others. He believed that all men were created equal and should be entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. He even began questioning his own beliefs after visiting a school where African children were being taught. Franklin believed that it was a citizen's duty to always continue improving the community they live in.