1. What is the author arguing?
The author, William Penn, is arguing the Biblical justification and necessity of an organized government with a set of laws for two reasons: “first, to terrify evil doers: secondly, to cherish those that do well…” as stated in the preface of his work “The Frame of Government of Pennsylvania, 1682
2. How does the author appeal to logos (logic), pathos (emotional quality), and ethos (the writer’s perceived character) with their argument?
Penn makes his case most predominantly with appeal to logos. The first instance of this appeal to logic is when Penn states that God appointed man to rule His world, and qualified them with skill, power and integrity to do so, but because sin is among them, laws must be present to not only protect the good, but to punish the bad. He cites the Apostle saying “’ The law (says he) was added because of transgression: ‘In another place, ‘Knowing that the law was not made for the righteous man; but for the disobedient and ungodly, for sinners, for unholy and prophane, for murderers, for wlloremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, and for man-stealers, for lyers, for perjured persons.’” With this Penn claims it is logical and justified that the people have a divine right to government. Another instance of appeal to logos is a distinction he makes between the three prevalent types of government: “Any government is free to the people under it (whatever be the frame) where the laws rule, and the people are a party to those laws, and more than this is tyranny, oligarchy, or confusion.” With this he is arguing that this commonality between the three governments is key to bringing those with differing preferences together. Another instance of appeal to logos is when Penn addresses the matter of why good people should need good laws. He states, “good men will never want good laws, nor suffer ill ones.” He goes on to say in summary that corrupt people prefer laws similar to themselves; therefore, they must have good laws to prevent corruption. This makes it logical that because evil is present, good laws are needed because they would essentially only apply to the “loose and depraved people.”
I found very little appeal to emotion in this excerpt. This may have been intentional as it was intended to be a political document and therefore emotion could have been purposely omitted. However, it may be argued that his choice of including the Apostle’s excerpt which describes that law is necessary for sinners. This excerpt describes these people with strong language such as unholy, prophane, murderers, liars and perjured person. Including this text with such strong language may have assisted in convincing those that believed a government should not be necessary if they intended to be good people that there is evil, and these laws would serve to protect them from the evil.
Lastly, Penn makes his appeal to ethos through his appeal to logos, and by listing the reasons he does not specify a certain type of government. His strong case for logic makes it easy for the audience to believe that he is credible on the topic which he is speaking.
3. What is the historical significance/relevance of this document?
The historical significance of this document is the impact it has had on the development of democracy in America as well as the world. Because of this document, and its implementation, people could come to America and experience liberty. Something not granted equally in many other parts of the world.
4. Do you find the author’s argument convincing? Why or why not?
I did find the authors argument convincing mostly due to the logical sense that it makes.
It makes sense that, while I may personally intend to live and not infringe on others’ rights, others may not resist that temptation so well, nor am I immune to temptation. Therefore, a government and laws must be necessary.
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