The Rationalist

1.Rationalist are completely and totally opposites when it comes to Puritans. Rationalist, do although, believe in natural law, they are created by God, but he left them to make their own decisions. While Puritans, on the other hand, believe that God controls every aspect of life, and if anyone where to think otherwise then it would go against God, which to them is terribly wrong.

2./3.In the Autobiography, by Benjamin Franklin, he demonstrates rationalism. He states in the biography "I wished to live without committing any fault at any time; I would conquer all that either natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into." I believe he is trying to become cleansed and become on of God's people, or one with God. Benjamin Franklin is trying to accomplish this by making a list and then running experiments to try and reach the "Puritan" moral perfection.

4. List
*Achievement- Giving it my best no matter what is my be, never having to feel like I didn't give it my all.
*Peace- A feeling of calmness for myself, and others.
*Loyalty- Being able to trust myself and others around me.
*Silence- Giving the negative to myself
*Pride- Being comfortable with myself and my past, present, and future.
*Budget- Knowing how much to spend, and not going over board.
*Respect- Treating others around me how I would like to be treated, whether I like them or not. *Happiness- Being satisfied with myself, inside and out.
*Honor- Being worthy of myself and to others.
*Cleaniness- my body, my thoughts, my surroundings.
* Compassion- A real love for myself and others.
*Reliabilty- Being able to count on someone, and have someone who can count on me.
My list stated above are things I feel as if I could work on to become a better person, but I don't feel as if they could make me reach moral prefection. Like the Puritan's said because Adam and Eve ate the fruit, all persons are born into sin. So no matter how long a make this list, or even how short, moral perfection is never possible, not even for the Puritans.