A seemingly small change made by Benjamin Franklin from 'sacred and undeniable' to 'self-evident' in the Declaration of Independence was actually highly significant. This change reflected the influence of John Locke, emphasizing that self-evident truths are so obvious they don't require proof. The shift carried profound philosophical implications, moving away from religious connotations towards a more rational and universally acceptable concept.
Publisher, scientist, humorist, diplomat — Benjamin Franklin was America's first polymath. Today, with help from Eric Weiner, we revisit Franklin's life, searching for tips about how to be healthy, wealthy, and wise.
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