An Exemplification of American Pragmatism in Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography

Ting Hu

doi:10.5539/ells.v5n2p117

Abstract

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) is the most accomplished American of his age and renowned as “The First American”. He has made great contributions in the fields of American education, science, diplomacy and economy. In his Autobiography, it portrays a story of a man from rags to riches, which reveals the pragmatic spirit. The pragmatism spirit in Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography deeply relates to his life experience and social macro environment in the 18th American context. Franklin’s pragmatism embodies in the evaluation criteria of practical benefits, experimental approach and prevalent orientation for human progress. This kind of pragmatism has been deeply related to his life experience but also rooted in profound historical and cultural background, which exerts a far-reaching influence on the American pragmatism and formation of American national character.

Highlights

As an exemplary self-reliant man, Benjamin Franklin was a man of many accomplishments
The pragmatism spirit in Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography deeply relates to his life experience and social macro environment in the 18th American context
Benjamin Franklin’s pragmatic spirits deeply influenced the American people, Pragmatism as a philosophy emerged in the 19th century, but the pursuit of success of Benjamin Franklin in the Autobiography is in the guidance of this pragmatic spirit

Summary

Introduction

As an exemplary self-reliant man, Benjamin Franklin was a man of many accomplishments. He depicts the life story in the book: The First American: The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin; James Campbell, Recovering Benjamin Franklin: An Exploration of a Life of Science and Service, he tries to identify Franklin as pragmatist All these studies give the rare material for the exploration of Benjamin Franklin’s pragmatic spirit. From these studies above, more studies emphasize the political and scientific or other obvious achievements; there is no relatively exclusive study about exploration and analysis of pragmatic spirit in the autobiography and its influence on American people. The paper tries to explore the pragmatism in the Autobiography, uncovers the hidden reasons and sources of the times, sets up a clear image of pragmatic Benjamin Franklin for the readers and explores its influence on American history. It uses the inductive research to conclude the influence of Benjamin Franklin’s pragmatic spirits

Benjamin Franklin’s Life and America in 18th Century

Pragmatism Spirit in Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography

Conclusion