Similarities Between Emerson And Benjamin Franklin

At first glance, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Benjamin Franklin seem to be very similar. There are many well-known connections between the two, who “shared a common background of thought” and additional similarities (Bier 180). The two have parallel goals, but differ in many other ways. While both Emerson and Franklin encourage others to improve themselves through their writing, the reality is that everyone is their own individual and what one person deems as self-improvement may not coincide perfectly with another’s perspective. The methods and additional steps that Franklin might find to be essential can contradict Emerson’s recommended plan of action. Again, while both men spend a good amount of effort to advocate the benefits of self-improvement, their approaches and their ideals are different. Emerson believes in thinking for oneself, keeping from being unduly influenced by the crowd, and seeking to improve one’s original opinions without being tainted by supplementary perspectives. Franklin believes in being virtuous,
It is clear when one compares Emerson’s focus on individualism and the importance of independent behavior to Franklin’s focus on virtuous behavior and the importance of motivational behavior, that while the two may want to achieve similar aims in the end, they will never walk the same path. In the end, one can take in this information as further proof as to the validity of the varied number of opinions of what people can do to better themselves, and see that there is not any wholly correct interpretation. But when one begins to look toward self-improvement, one should keep in mind these two men, who no matter what their differences, have done their best to lead new generations of Americans toward a better life and