Summary of The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards, and other works

Explore the intense resolutions of Jonathan Edwards and the witty contributions of thinkers like Benjamin Franklin in this captivating collection.

Ah, The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards, and other works! Such a delightful title that rolls off the tongue like a beautiful sonnet, or maybe just a slightly awkward sneeze. For those unacquainted, this collection brings together the musings of Jonathan Edwards, a Puritan preacher who somehow made the idea of "resolutions" sound more intense than an impending storm. Alongside him are a few other heavy hitters like Benjamin Franklin, among others, which adds quite the intellectual spice to this gumbo of philosophical thought.

First off, let's dive into Jonathan Edwards's resolutions. These were his personal commitments, and let me tell you, they're about as intense as a New Year's resolution gone rogue. Picture this: a man pledging to be the best version of himself every single day. I mean, talk about overachieving! If you think your buddy struggling to keep a gym membership is tough, just try living up to Edwards's lofty ideals, like "I will do everything in my power to avoid sin." Spoiler alert: he probably needed a lot more power than most of us do!

His resolutions range from the deeply spiritual to slightly mundane, like "I will keep my mind focused on God" or "I will not let my sleep schedule interfere with my moral values." Seriously, Jonathan? Because my sleep schedule seems to be the only thing stopping me from writing a treatise on the nature of existence itself. His impressive list showcases a blend of ambition, self-reflection, and some good ol' Puritan guilt that had to be both uplifting and exhausting.

Next, we have other works by the likes of Benjamin Franklin, which add a splash of wit to this philosophical salad. Franklin was the life of the party, or at least he thought so. His writing style is peppered with clever aphorisms that make you chuckle while simultaneously questioning your own life choices. Did you know he believed "Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise"? Well, I'd like to see him try that while he's binge-watching Netflix at 2 AM!

Then there are the contributions from folks like Thomas Reid and Francis Hutcheson. Reid is here to shake things up with his Scottish Common Sense philosophy-because sometimes, all you need is a bit of Scottish logic mixed in with an existential crisis. Hutcheson, on the other hand, reminds us that interestingly, sometimes an innocent heart may be the thing that saves us all from ourselves. unless we're talking about the time you texted your ex at 3 AM after too many margaritas. Oops!

In conclusion, The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards, and other works is a compilation that combines over-the-top personal commitments, whimsical wisdom, and philosophical deep dives that can leave one feeling both inspired and slightly exhausted, much like a treadmill session. If you want to keep your life on track or just enjoy reading about others while they strive for greatness, this collection might just add a touch of brilliance to your shelf (or perhaps just a hefty dose of guilt). Either way, it's a fascinating peek into the minds of some of the greatest thinkers of the Enlightenment-plus a sprinkle of Puritan flair! Enjoy contemplating your life choices from a safe distance.

Maddie Page

Classics, bestsellers, and guilty pleasures-none are safe from my sarcastic recaps. I turn heavy reads into lighthearted summaries you can actually enjoy. Warning: may cause random outbursts of laughter while pretending to study literature.