Making the American Self: Jonathan Edwards to Abraham Lincoln

American Philosophy as a Way of Life: A Course in Self-Culture

“…19 Long before the "Analytic-Continental Divide" was institutionalized in 1962 when some APA members broke off to establish SPEP, 20 American Philosophy took place not only in schools and universities but also in public lectures, lyceums, and conversation groups hosted in living rooms. 21 By immersing ourselves in this tradition, we can think, practice, and revive PWOL as something with deep roots in American history, so that it might continue growing not just in us, but in our families, among our friends, and across our communities. This is especially important at my commuter campus where fewer than five percent of students live in on-campus housing.…”

“…36 Howe compellingly argues that people like Benjamin Franklin, Frederick Douglass, Henry David Thoreau, and Margaret Fuller "postulated not only the existence of a self as the consequence of an individual's personal and social history, but also the capacity of the individual for critical reflection upon that self, with the power to modify it through conscious effort." 37 Of course, Howe also notes that socially-dominant groups took for granted that "some persons would be excluded from participation in this process and even sacrificed to the development of others." 38 His book therefore examines the "progressive democratization of the model, as it is extended to include poor men [e.g., Franklin], women [e.g., Fuller], and people of color [e.g., Douglass]."…”

“…37 Of course, Howe also notes that socially-dominant groups took for granted that "some persons would be excluded from participation in this process and even sacrificed to the development of others." 38 His book therefore examines the "progressive democratization of the model, as it is extended to include poor men [e.g., Franklin], women [e.g., Fuller], and people of color [e.g., Douglass]." 39 Bridging Howe's work with that of McKenna and Pratt, my course fosters personal and social transformations through selfculture as developed by "the resistance tradition of American philosophy" from Benjamin Franklin to Gloria Anzaldúa.…”

“…42 Indeed, Franklin founded a club for mutual improvement known as the Junto in 1727, which later branched into the American Philosophical Society in 1743, demonstrating that "projects of self-discipline or self-improvement can be undertaken collectively." 43 Franklin's Autobiography describes thirteen virtues: temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility. Franklin's method was to practice each virtue in order for one week at a time, four cycles per year.…”

“…I do not tell students the meaning of their lives, but rather invite them into dialogue with a living philosophical tradition that is still relevant, "To be self-made was to have made, not money, but a self." 53 Or as Ana put it on our discussion board:…”