When we try to compare Emersons concept of the educated person to Benjamin Franklins view, one thing stands out. Emerson is of mind and spirit in all that you do and Franklin was more go by the books when it comes to education. Emerson believes that books are useful as long as readers maintain their own creativity and independence of thought. The thinking reader refers the knowledge to the understanding of nature and the human constitution, but Franklins view is one must learn from what is taught and that is that, its set in stone. For Emerson education you learn must become a thought and in turn must turn into an action in order for it to be useful. As Franklin was not a religious man, Emerson is more so. Here Emerson criticizes the limitations of the schools and points toward a beneficial spiritual education. The great object of Education should be commensurate with the object of life.
It should be a moral one; to teach self-trust: to inspire the youthful man with an interest in himself; with a curiosity touching his own nature; to acquaint him with the resources of his mind, and to teach him that there is all his strength, and to inflame him with a piety towards the Grand Mind in which he lives. Thus would education conspire with the Divine Providence. Emerson I believe is trying to point out that you need to see beyond the text that lies on the pages. Education is good but do not limit yourself. Franklin and Emerson felt the more you read the more educated you became, but I do not believe Franklin thought outside of the books in which he read until his scientist years. When Franklin used his knowledge to invent other things in which were not known at the time, I believe he was becoming one with his nature. I do not think it is to the extent of what Emerson is trying to get at but I believe it is a close relationship
The Essay on Benjamin Franklin and the Nature of Human Character
Few things say more about the character of a person than his or her religious beliefs. No, it is not because of their religion, nor, perhaps, even because of the importance of religion, but rather because of the importance people give to religion and the important place religion holds in the life of the religious. Benjamin Franklin was no different. Living in the time of a new frontier, America, ...
