Autobiography Benjamin Franklin

Introduction

Benjamin Franklin was involved in various experiments. Among them were electrical experiments and the experiment with Kite[1]. Benjamin Franklin was focused on transforming the world. He maintains that the age of experiments was a period of openness and curiosity to innovation.  Therefore, the word experiment ought to not only be used to define things that scientists do instead he meant that it was a time where scientific reasoning would be utilized in various sectors such as politics and philosophy to benefit the world.  Experimentation was important to Benjamin Franklin and other leaders during the enlightenment period as it signified openness and curiosity which provided philosophical basis for the changes that took place in the world.

 First, experimentation was a source of ideas as it signified openness and curiosity. For instance, Franklin was devoted to science and experiments. It made him the most proficient electrician globally[2]. His mind was active as he came up with new ideas for the welfare of humanity[3]. Hence, experimentation allowed Franklin to come up with ideas that would help solve diverse issues globally.  Some of the experiments that Franklin was involved in include electrical experiments and the experiment with Kite. In the winter of 1746-1747 Franklin maintained that electricity was collected and not created through friction. He also advocated for the theory of positive and negative electricity. Additionally, Franklin suggested to draw electricity from the clouds [4]. The outcomes of the results were proclaimed throughout Europe. The intellectual experiments lured people to Franklin[5]. In 1752, Franklin tried his popular experiment using the kite[6]. After he completed the experiment he was satisfied with the outcomes as it showed that one could draw electricity from the clouds.

The enlightenment era was a period of openness for philosophers such as Benjamin Franklin[7]. They used their rational powers to comprehend the laws of universe and come up with ways of using the laws to enhance people’s lives. During the period, Benjamin Franklin was focused on coming up with ideas that would help people. Many experiments were helpful. It was beneficial to the people globally.  They were able to sail past their enemies without being noticed.  They were able to make a good judgment of the wind[8]. The captain was able to shape his course following the observation of the direction of the wind. They sailed successfully without encountering ring the enemy’s privateers. Leaders like Franklin helped in sharpening sense of empirical observation as well as induction. People used their observation to solve diverse issues, mainly pertaining nature. Hence, it led to changes in the United States as well as other parts of the world.

Experimentation led to a period of intellectual uproar which was significant to everyone around the world[9].  They were focused on finding and applying the universal knowledge that they had gained in the unprecedented setting of a new world[10].  During the age of experiments, Franklin gained attention from different individuals. Some supported his work while others felt threatened by his work. Most philosophers from Europe were not willing to believe that an incomprehensible American was succeeding in philosophical research. However, some philosophers supported his work. For instance, most renowned philosophers such as Count de Buffon, M. Dalibard and M. de Lor focused on improving the apparatus suggested by Franklin to get electricity from the clouds[11].

The success of the experiments by the philosophers as well as Benjamin Franklin was clear and they were declared throughout Europe [12]. Franklin became popular and he obtained a high position among the most elite philosophers. Mainly, the experiments that he recommended were tested by scientists in the philosophical circles around Europe.

Also, through experimentation, Franklin understood that people had different judgments and experiments would help in coming up with good decisions[13]. He maintained that even during simple operation of sailing at the sea, he would observe diverse judgments in the officers that commanded the successive watches. However, the wind remained the same. Individuals who were in control of the ships took different approaches[14]. Some would choose to trim the sails sharper or flatter compared to the other. Hence, there were no certain rules to govern them. Franklin maintain that different experiments were instituted to determine the most appropriate way of ensuring that they sail swiftly.  The experiments also helped in determining the proper dimensions and proper place for the masts[15]. They also helped in understanding the form and quantity of sails. Also, their position based on the wind and nature of the landing.

Franklin also maintained that art of ship-building had imperfection. However, for the imperfection to be understood, experiments were important. They had to test whether a ship was good or a bad sailor[16]. Every individual had their opinion of seamen concerning the methods of lading, rigging as well as sailing the ship. Every ship has their systems and its sailing was based on the judgment and orders of captain. The orders of one captain may sail the ship better or worse than the others. The understanding of the ship is based on collective ideas. The ship is not sailed or build by the same person. One individual is tasked with building the hull, while another person rigs it. There is a different person who is tasked with lading it and the other sails it. Therefore, through experimentation, Franklin understood how individuals worked.

Conclusion

Experimentation was important to Benjamin Franklin and other leaders during the enlightenment period as it signified openness and curiosity which provided philosophical basis for the changes that took place in the world. The word experiment ought to not only be used to define things that scientists do instead he meant that it was a time where scientific reasoning would be utilized in various sectors such as politics and philosophy to benefit the world.  During the period, Benjamin Franklin was focused on coming up with ideas that would help people. It led to changes in the in the world.  Some of the experiments that Franklin was involved in include electrical experiments and the experiment with Kite. He advocated for the theory of positive and negative electricity. Additionally, Franklin suggested to draw electricity from the clouds. Also, through experimentation, Franklin understood that people had different judgments and experiments would help in coming up with good decisions.

Bibliography

“Benjamin Franklin: A Picture of the Struggles of Our Infant Nation One Hundred Years Ago.”

Phrenological Journal & Life Illustrated: A Repository of Science, Literature & General Intelligence (New York – 1871-1876) 63, no. 3 (September 1876): 247–48. American Antiquarian Society (AAS) Historical Periodicals Collection: Series 1, EBSCOhost. (accessed February 27, 2019)

Eric Foner, Give Me Liberty! An American History, 5th ed. (New York: W.W. Norton, 2017),

159.

Franklin, Benjamin, The autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, 1706-1757. (Bedford,

Mass:Applewood Book, 2008).

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