Thomas Jefferson

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that Thomas Jefferson embodied the enlightenment thinkers who believed in a wide variety of philosophies rather than the strict dogma and theology of a particular belief system, whether it is beliefs in politics, social structure, religious thought or scientific questioning. The author points out that the ideas, which Jefferson incorporated into the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, are highlights of enlightenment thinking. The paper stresses that it is important to realize that the dichotomy, which appears to exist between Jefferson's personal actions and those written into these treasured documents, pertains to intent and the laws of nature versus those of society: "Created equal" infers that all children are born equal as human beings but the inequalities, which do exist, are due to society's distinctions of race, sex and wealth.

From the Paper:

"Thomas Jefferson is best known as the United States' third president and one of the country's founding fathers. Specifically, he was the writer of the Declaration of Independence, an inventor, architect, a great believer in education and liberty in every form, as well as a farmer and avid horticulturist. His thoughts and ideas molded the freedoms of American, and he incorporated the ideals of other Enlightenment thinkers into the Declaration of Independence and other writings. Thomas Jefferson is known for his strong belief in unalienable rights, was a believer in the teachings of Jesus Christ, yet felt the Bible misstated and mutilated Christ's message. He was a lifelong learner, as any true thinker is, and lived to see the age of the Enlightenment begin to disintegrate. As with the other Enlightenment thinkers, Jefferson believed in the "pursuit of happiness" and felt that government, society, and religion often prevented its attainment."

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