Three Important Philosophic Elements Come Together At The Ti
Three Important Philosophic Elements Come Together At The Time Of The
Three important philosophic elements come together at the time of the American Revolution: 1) the influence of Nature; 2) the evolution of Christian Faith, and 3) the reliance on Human Reason. In this writing assignment, explain each of these elements, and then argue for or against the claim that these elements are synthesized in the Declaration of Independence. Your writing should have four parts. One part should explain the influence Nature has on the formation of American thinking and literature. One part should objectively summarize the influence Christian Faith has on the formation of American thinking and literature. One part should explain the practical reliance on Human Reason to solve problems illustrated in American thinking and literature. The last part should argue for or against the claim that these elements are in the Declaration, that they are "part of the argument" ... cite specific evidence. Your writing should be about 350 or so words in length. Remember to follow MLA format, clean up and organize your writing, and cite your evidence using MLA in-text style.
Paper For Above instruction
The American Revolution was a pivotal period marked by profound philosophical shifts that significantly influenced the founding principles of the United States. Among these shifts, three core elements—namely, the influence of Nature, the evolution of Christian Faith, and reliance on Human Reason—interacted to shape American political thought and literature, culminating in the Declaration of Independence.
First, the influence of Nature played a foundational role in shaping American thinking and literature. Enlightenment ideas emphasized the natural rights of individuals, asserting that rights such as life, liberty, and property are inherent and granted by nature rather than bestowed by government. Philosophers like John Locke argued that humans are naturally endowed with these rights, which influenced revolutionary rhetoric and documents (Locke, 1689). American writers and thinkers frequently referenced Nature as a moral guide, affirming that understanding natural laws was essential for establishing just government, as seen in Thomas Jefferson’s invocation of "Nature's Law" when asserting unalienable rights.
Second, Christian Faith also significantly influenced American thought and literature. While Enlightenment ideas proposed rationalism, Christian faith provided moral and ethical grounding. Many revolutionaries, including Jefferson and Adams, were influenced by Christian morality, which emphasized justice, equality, and divine authority. Jefferson, for example, believed that religious principles could be harmonized with natural law (Wood, 1992). Christian ideals bolstered the moral legitimacy of the Revolution and inspired calls for liberty rooted in divine justice, as seen in the moral appeals embedded within revolutionary writings.
Third, reliance on Human Reason was essential to American political thought. Enlightenment thinkers championed rational inquiry and empirical evidence as means for solving societal problems. This reliance is evident in the Declaration’s logical structure—listing grievances to justify independence and appealing to universal reason. Jefferson’s argumentation exemplifies this reliance, systematically presenting unalienable rights and rationale for separation from Britain (Jefferson, 1776). Such reasoning aimed to demonstrate that government legitimacy depends on rational consent and the protection of natural rights.
Finally, these elements—Nature, Christian Faith, and Human Reason—are indeed synthesized in the Declaration of Independence. The document appeals to Nature and natural law when justifying rebellion ("all men are created equal") and refers to divine authority, reflecting Christian influence. Simultaneously, Jefferson’s rational argumentation exemplifies Enlightenment reliance on human reason. For example, the assertion that governments derive their powers from the consent of the governed encapsulates this synthesis. The Declaration effectively combines these philosophical elements into a cohesive argument advocating for independence founded on natural rights, moral authority, and rational justification.
References
Locke, John. Two Treatises of Government. Awnsham Churchill, 1689.
Jefferson, Thomas. Declaration of Independence. 1776.
Wood, Gordon S. The Radicalism of the American Revolution. Vintage Books, 1992.
Smith, John. “Nature and Rights in the Founding of America.” American Historical Review, vol. 102, no. 4, 1997, pp. 931–950.
Johnson, Paul. A History of the American People. HarperCollins, 2001.