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Reviews
| The Political Philosophy of Benjamin Franklin, by Lorraine Smith Pangle. New York: Johns Hopkins Press, 2007. 296 pages. $20.95 paper.
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| It seems that certain biographical subjects never abate in interest—such as Abraham Lincoln and Robert E. Lee, or Franklin Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy. In recent years, Theodore Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan have been persons of great interest for biographers and the reading public. Presently, the life Benjamin Franklin, one of the most remarkable men in American history, is receiving a great deal of scholarly attention. Several books appeared on the life of Franklin in 2002: H.W. Brand's The First American: The Life of Benjamin Franklin, the first truly comprehensive study of the great man in over a half a century; James Strode's Franklin: The Essential Founding Father; and Edmund Morgan's Benjamin Franklin. In addition, the Arts and Entertainment Network and the Public Broadcasting System each produced excellent Franklin documentaries in 2002 and 2004, respectively. |
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Lorraine Smith Prangle, an associate professor of government at the University of Texas at Austin, adds her perspective on the formation of Franklin's political philosophy. She opens her narrative stating that Franklin "has always been the most American of Americans" (p. 1). Prangle's aim in writing on Franklin was "to illuminate important congruences and contrasts between Franklin and other political thinkers to provide the best response we can make to Franklin's major critics" (p.2). Her work is based on the thesis that Franklin's "healthy democratic vision is uniquely suited as an antidote for some of our worst civic woes, and in particular for our tendency to go on to extremes of cynical, world-weary withdrawal from public life on the one hand and zealous, intolerant moralism on the other" (ibid.). The author sees Franklin as one who defines virtue as the "enlightened self-interest of citizens immersed in practical affairs" (p. 14). Her methodology was to trace Franklin's thought, and "elaborate and test his claims for this new type of virtue which lays at the heart of thinking on economics, social relations, wise philanthropy, government, and even international relations" (ibid.). |
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Throughout the text, she compares Franklin's thought and philosophy with that of Socrates, Jonathan Edwards, Cotton Mather, and John Locke. After examining Franklin's "reflections on the economic and moral foundations of liberty and the most civic expressions of that liberty in free associations, which turn teach skills necessary for self-government," the reader clearly sees the chronological sequence chosen by Prangle "followed the progression of Franklin's own interests and activities" (p. 127). She uses the first three chapters to build her case on her subject's political views, which she presents in chapter four. |
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Those not versed in the classics or philosophy may have to constantly refer to sources of Franklin's thought for understanding of the author's arguments. As to the narrative, the long block quotes hinder its flow; and in addition, the author's penchant for asking rhetorical questions and not answering them in a satisfactory manner is often distracting. Scholars might find her bibliography sparse, and that fact alone may cause some to question the value of the text. |
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Educators at all levels and in various disciplines may find Prangle's work useful. Secondary history teachers will find particular interest in Franklin's views on education, the nature of his literary society, and his arguments for the centrality of history instruction in the curriculum of the academy (pp.98-111). Those interested philosophy and theological study will find the final chapter on Franklin's thoughts about the ultimate questions of life insightful and thought-provoking. However, due to the depth of the work, and the constant references and allusions to the classics and philosophical treatises, Prangle's book in not suitable for the average high school student or for non-history and/or political science major in colleges. The best use of this book is in upper-level collegiate courses in history, political science, American literature, interdisciplinary humanities classes, and American studies courses. |
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Lorraine Smith Prangle produced a work of high scholarship and deep insight, about a complex and often contradictory life. It is fitting that Benjamin Franklin is the subject of this excellent monograph. |
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| Columbus State Community College, Ohio |
James S. Baugess |
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