American Philosophy is like any other person’s idea on philosophy. It’s about understanding but in American philosophy it’s about agreeing with ones beliefs but still trying to find understanding and coming together to be on an agreement. Accepting tradition towards information gives them more of a reason to go forward with an idea like now in the U.S the government deals with different ideas and in what some believe in and if they have background knowledge also to follow it because it’s a belief that can help and improve the world. The American philosophy started from the 17th century on until the 20th century but also was based on American enlightenment, speaking upon religion and as well beliefs and understanding. Our present time philosophy relies on the past and what the founding fathers used to believe as we live in a different world today and try to act in new ways with new technology and a changing society to see if what they believed before could help out now.
American Patriot Patrick Henry was one that would mostly say speeches with good concepts without hesitation on his words. He has become known as inspiring Virginia Patriots in the American Revolution. He always had reasons for his beliefs and made most people also believe what he believed because his reasons were mostly on freedom of speech; freedom of one’s own life. One of Patrick Henry’s famous quotes was, “Give me Liberty or Give me Death.”
This quote is mostly about letting him or people in general have the freedom of speech and political action. He inspired people to stand up and fight but his words were coming from a white man who owned land and inspired other Virginia gentlemen who also owned slaves. This is an example of a perfect idea with the imperfect reality of slavery. He speaks a lot about truth, and I personally always loved his quote and the concept behind it because he says, regardless of how hurtful the truth is he wants to hear it, he wants it to be known so that everything could be equal and united. What would make Patrick Henry’s thought more motivational? How would his idea be interpreted differently if he said “Give US liberty” instead of “Give ME liberty”?
Patrick Henry would talk to any government power and try to bring an understanding that the way he felt about equality was more powerful than what any other human was thinking of it. He never really just thought about himself but the outlook on how everybody else was dealing with the truth that hurt them, he wanted them to accept that we have to face those truths. He believed the people had the ability to know the truth about the government and some of the things that they would hide, he would do anything just to hear the truth because it was fair for everyone and he hated to think of it as him wasting his life away. It would be a saying like, “is a person with eyes not able to seek and a person with ears should be able to hear.” Patrick Henry was a strong believer and through his time he was not stopping to protest in a war of words and ideas but he was acting on the ideas he had.
It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace²but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
