I recently wrote a book In which I tried to understand America’s past and present by living life like America’s founding fathers.
We’re talking candles, pens, guns, etc.
In a new series of articles — of which this is the first — I’m sharing some of the life lessons I’ve learned from founders. (Watch the video at the top of this article.)
A man from New York City lived according to the Constitution for a year. Know what he learned
My favorite founding fathers are Benjamin Franklin For many reasons.
He was a prolific writer, political thinker, and inventor (including the inventor of swimming fins!).
But another reason to admire Franklin is that he was a big fan of civil discourse.
In his new book, “The Year of Living Constitutionally,” author A.J. Jacobs seeks to “understand America’s past and present by living life like the Founding Fathers.” It has one defining feature: Ben Franklin’s focus on civil discourse. (A.J. Jacobs; Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
In early America, Franklin formed a social club called the Junto.
This group of men met every Friday and had deep discussions about how to better themselves and their country.
The rules encouraged a “spirit of inquiry” and discouraged a “love of controversy.” The idea was to ask more questions, argue less.
The rules encouraged the “spirit of inquiry” and discouraged the “love of controversy”.
I tried to respect The Founding Fathers’ ideal of civil dialogue During my one year of living life constitutionally.
And one way I did that was by hosting an 18th-century-style dinner for 12 people at my home.
We ate dinner by candlelight. Beef stew with cloves (Cloves were very popular with early Americans).
We drank Martha Washington’s rum punch. We read a toast from the Founding Fathers: “For freedom from kings as well as from mobs.”
But more important than food and drink was the grooming of the guests.
I invited people from all political parties — conservatives, libertarians, liberals, and progressives — and we had a great discussion. A civil, deep discussion about the Constitution and America.
“We had a really good discussion. A civil, in-depth discussion about the Constitution and America,” Jacobs said of her dinner party with “people from all political parties.” (SPXChrome)
Instead of looking at dinner as an argument, we tried to look at it as a puzzle we could all solve together.
For example, we asked each other what we believed. We tried to find out what we believed. Why we believe What we believe.
We discussed what evidence might change our views or develop our ideas.
“We need more of a spirit of inquiry.”
There were 12 of us who got together that night. did not agree on everythingBut on one thing we agreed: Americans need more face-to-face and civil discussion with people outside their circle.
I believe we need more of a spirit of inquiry.
I think we need to listen more. We need to reduce the angry posts on social media.
The crisis on college campuses: What university presidents can learn from the Founding Fathers
Ben Franklin said that when we discuss politics or other controversial matters, we should avoid words like “certainly” and “undoubtedly.”
Instead, we should use words such as “It seems to me so,” or “If I am not mistaken,” or “I should think so for certain reasons.”
“The Year of Living Constitutionally” is the latest book from bestselling author AJ Jacobs, published this year by Crown. (Fox News Digital)
Alexander Hamilton had a similar idea.
In “The Federalist Papers” he urges us to avoid “the spirit of intolerance,” adding that “it is as absurd to aim at conversion by fire and sword in politics as in religion.”
But constitutional ConventionBen Franklin told a funny little parable (the man enjoyed his joke).
“Engage in civil dialogue with people from all walks of life.”
Franklin told that one day a French woman was talking to her sister.
The French woman said how strange it was that she had never met anyone who was right about everything except herself.
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Franklin said we are all Frenchwomen.
We all believe that we have a monopoly on the truth.
I know I feel this way most of the time.
But I try to fight that tendency and do what the founders did: engage in civil dialogue with people from all walks of life.
Another advice.
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This election year, if you decide to host an 18th-century-style dinner, with your neighborsTake it from me.
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Cleaning up using a 21st century dishwasher is fine.
