Critical Analysis 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Critical Analysis 2 - Essay ExampleSome rationalist ideas and the remnants of Puritan ideas ar seen in the solution of Independence.Thesis direction The purpose of this paper is explain three examples of Rationalist and remnants of Puritan ideas in the Declaration. Whether Puritan ideas seem to be in conflict with Rationalist elements will be investigated.The works of doubting Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, John Locke and Thomas Hobbes will be referred to.Rationalism is a philosophic belief in natural rights which is perceived and employ by individuals with the help of reasoning powers (Hill 74). Puritanism, on the other hand, is marked by rigid beliefs on living a pure life devoid of indulgence, and a Christian life in the quest of morality and the establishment of the truth of God. The period of Enlightenment (1650 to 1800) believed to be an age of rationalism, evolved from the humanistic changes in religious beliefs of the previous period and the emergence of puritanism. P uritanism began with Protestant reforms in the early sixteenth century to purify the Church and decree of corruption and dogma (Cody & Landlow, 1988). Puritanism was the philosophy of life which was carried to New England by the first settlers in the early ordinal century (Miller & Johnson 1).Thomas Jeffersons concept of rationality included the belief in natural rights and an naive moral sense common to all people. One example of rationalist idea in the Declaration is Jeffersons attack on the practice of slavery in the first draft of the Declaration of Independence. He stated that slavery did not follow the natural law of right to freedom which was a canonic human right (Hill 82).Another example of a rationalist idea is that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of gaiety (U.S. History 2009). This should mean equal treatment of Africans with white settlers. However,