My Rationalism

The Puritans were noted to have been people of acceptance. Their rules and styles were formed not by them but by some "divine" force, above them, or at least out of their lives. The Puritans feared God, they thought he was above us as an angry father, a creator, but also a destroyer, a master with a whip. The Rationalists knew things were different. They knew because they made their rules. They knew because they had proved it by using their minds. For the Rationalists, who also were devout, God was their creator that made the particles form into human beings. Man was smart enough to use himself and be all that he could be, to learn all that was in the world, to understand God’s reason for making us. Jonathan Edwards would have been horrified at men’s insolence, but these Rationalists thought that their way was the way to progress, and they were right.

Ben Franklin was one of the most famous Rationalist thinkers. In his Autobiography he proves his belief system with his mere train of thought; he provides all his actions with legitimate reasons. In leaving his hometown of Boston, "it was likely I might if I stay soon bring myself to scrapes…my indiscreet reputation….make me pointed at…as an infidel or atheist……..in three days found myself in New York." He is a quick reasoner, and he makes what needs to be done, done very quickly once he comes to his conclusions. He also shows that he believes in his own might: "I would conquer all that either natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into," even enough so to make a step-by-step guide for making himself into a morally perfect individual. If God made the body, he could make the Man. In his 13 rules, he tries to make already existing rules better, looser or tighter, stricter or less bound, enough so that he makes the best list he can procure for his maximal benefice.

My own 13 propositions for virtue:
Sincerity - because with honesty is truth and with sincerity is beauty
Industriousness - for what one wants often requires work and no work is too much for what one really wants
Frugality - because living cheap means truly living, no waste required
Humility - no man is better than I, and I am no better than any man
Dedication - everything worth doing, worth thinking, worth loving, is really worth it, and there is no need to not be seriously into it
Love - acceptance is true love
Tranquility - I need my peace of mind to be able to do all these things
Curiosity - Life should never get boring
Consideration - we live with other beings that are beings like ourselves
Wonderment - we should know that there are no limits to what there is
Silence - speak only what needs to be said, and that no one else will say
Inventiveness - newness is beautiful too
Simplicity - needs are accepted, wants are not necessary
This list of 13 virtues is how I already strive to live. To do them all requires only patience with oneself, with others, and dedication to one's principles -- the first thing to master. We cannot get bored with ourselves or our surroundings or we will fall into a depression that will make true virtue, irretrievable.

The American Declaration of Independence also holds a great deal of Rationalist thought in it. (After all, Ben Franklin was very influential on our young nation.) Firstly, in the Preamble, God is mentioned as a creator, but not necessarily a ruler. In fact he endows us with some "inalienable rights." There is also a great respect and pride for mankind and his opinions. The United States would not be a nation governed by anyone, only looked over by a God – but ruled by all men. There is also the great factor of Proof that comes as all the errors of King George upon the colonies. "Let the facts be submitted to the candid world."
There are many documents of the early United States that share rationalist thought because this thought process was a new and highly improved way of thought that seemed much more efficient, and more intelligent, than the deaf thoughts under so many blind rulings that had prospered in the past.