Contents
Acknowledgments…………………………………………………………………………………………… i
Abstract in English…………………………………………………………………………………………. ii
Abstract in Chinese……………………………………………………………………………………….. iii
Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 1
Chapter1 The Glorious Life of Benjamin Franklin………………………………………….. 2
1.1 A brief introduction to Benjamin Franklin………………………………………………….. 2
1.2 Political experience and public service……………………………………………………….. 2
1.3 Scientific experience……………………………………………………………………………….. 3
Chapter2 Benjamin Franklin Spirit………………………………………………………………… 5
2.1 Thirteen virtues………………………………………………………………………………………… 5
2.2 Representation of Benjamin Franklin spirit in the Declaration of Independence 6
2.3 Virtues, religion and personal beliefs…………………………………………………………. 6
2.4 Well-known sayings………………………………………………………………………………… 7
Chapter3 Influence of Benjamin Franklin Spirit on American National Life……. 8
3.1 Influence on political system…………………………………………………………………….. 8
3.2 Influence on life value and work value of average Americans………………………. 8
3.2.1 Benjamin Franklin Spirit as represented by Abraham Lincoln…………………. 8
3.2.2 Benjamin Franklin Spirit as represented by Apple Inc………………………….. 10
3.3 Influence on social morality……………………………………………………………………. 11
Chapter4 Benjamin Franklin: The Indisputable Father of American Spirit……. 12
Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 15
Bibliography………………………………………………………………………………………………… 16
Abstract
Benjamin Franklin was one of the most important representatives in the American Colonial Period and a key figure to the American studies. He was called the father of American spirit. As a great Enlightenment philosopher, a scientist，a politician and a deist, he deserved “the First American”. He is an outstanding statesman, and is the American War of Independence veteran. He participated in drafting the “Declaration of Independence”, the United States Constitution, and actively advocated for the abolition of slavery, deeply respect the people of the United States.
This thesis firstly analyzes the glorious life of Benjamin Franklin, and then analyzes his politic and scientific aspects. The main point is the spirit of Benjamin Franklin with his virtues and his beliefs. Franklin was a transitional figure from Puritanism to Enlightenment and that he showed his Puritan inheritance all through his life. The paper expatiates on the significant role Franklin played in the “Age of Reason”. At the same time, Franklin as a scientist and a social welfare worker is expounded and his overall significance in American spirit is emphasized again. Not only did Franklin help an emerging nation gain its independence, but he also provided a model for the ideal American citizen. In conclusion, Franklin’s influence was so far-reaching that his memory has lived on for centuries and is unlikely to fade with future generations. Thus, he was deserving of that accolade which is the father of American spirit.
Key Words: Benjamin Franklin; the father of American spirit; influence
摘要
本杰明·富兰克林是北美殖民时期最重要的代表人物之一，是美国文化研究领域的亮点人物，是真正的 “第一位美国人”。他被称作美国人的精神之父。作为一位从清教时代向启蒙时代过渡的人物，富兰克林是一位启蒙运动思想家、实验科学家、政治活动家和自然神论者。他是位出色的政治家，是美国独立战争的老战士。他参加起草了《独立宣言》和美国宪法，积极主张废除奴隶制度，深受美国人民的崇敬。
本文首先分析了富兰克林光荣的一生，从他的政治生涯，科学履历等来剖析富兰克林。本文以富兰克林的精神为主线，贯穿他的真理，信仰，以及他的名言。他是从清教时代向启蒙时代过渡的人物。他虽然没有接受清教主义作为他的主流思想，但在他的许多作品中仍然显露出了这一思想影响的痕迹。文章强调了富兰克林的实用精神，突出了富兰克林思想在北美“理性时代”中发挥的重要作用;同时，文章综述了富兰克林在自然科学领域和社会福利方面的伟大建树，分析了他对美国精神所产生的深远影响。富兰克林不仅为刚起步的祖国成长而奋斗，同时也树立了一个理想的美国公民的形象。因此，富兰克林的影响流传了几个世纪至今也不褪色。所以说富兰克林不愧是美国人的精神之父。
关键词：富兰克林，美国人的精神之父，影响
