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Thomas Paine and His Common Sense Pamphlet Essay

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THOMAS PAINE AND HIS COMMON SENSE PAMPHLET 1

Thomas Paine and his Common Sense Pamphlet

The common sense pamphlet by Thomas pain contributed significantly to delegalizing

claim to authority of British colonies. Paine brings the conviction that the idea of the

importance of government is false and that the Americans should not negotiate but claim for

their independence. Thomas viewed negotiation as self-sabotage. In this pamphlet, his point

of view is that the government and society are two different things an idea he builds from a

biblical perspective. According to his writing, he indicated that government was a necessary

evil. Drawing his argument from a philosophical perspective and giving evidence from the

Jews script, he challenges the idea of monarchy. Paine outlines the present state of America

and its potential to win the war against the British rule. His writing came prior to the gaining

of independence of the first states of the United States of America.

Paine derives the origin of the idea of government from the chronic of the Jews and

presents the government as an institution that has its sole purpose is to restrain evil to the

society. In his argument, he distinguishes society from government, and he brings out the

society as something worth striving for while the government is a necessary evil. The value

the community is fostering the fulfilment of our desires whereas that of the government is to

keep people from indulging their vices. He is against the idea of the government oppressing

their subjects since it’s the people who create and support the government; therefore the

people back their poor conditions. According to him, the fundamental purpose of any

government is to provide security and its achievements is to be measured by the extent to

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THOMAS PAINE AND HIS COMMON SENSE PAMPHLET 2

which it accomplishes this role. This argument gave the people morale to fight for their

independence from the government that did not fulfil its obligation.

Challenging the idea of monarchy and heredity succession, Paine asserts that all

humanity was equal to the genesis of the human race. Therefore the inequality was brought

by circumstance and that distinction lack any religious or natural basis. He brings out the idea

that distinction is not heavenly. Additionally, he separates politics and religion. He aimed to

erase the idea that kings and queens and divine chosen. In a matter of this subject he derives

his argument from the biblical context of the origin of kings. From the books of Samuel in the

Bible, he cites the idea that God is the only one supposed to reign over humankind. From the

Bible, humanity rebelled from God by seeking to have a king to rule over them like the other

heathens. Using this quotation, he persuades the people that rebelling against the government

was not rebelling against God. His concept of government is based on philosophical

speculation but not religious dogmatism. This part of common sense inspired the Americans

to fight for their independence.

Basing his thoughts on the current state of affairs in America, Paine argued against

the misconception held by many Americans. Many people say that America had greatly

flourished under the British rule, it would be necessary for America to remain bound to

British. Paine compared this argument by saying that since a baby has thrived on milk, he

should never eat meat. Besides he argued that if it were not for various Europeans countries

not exerting power over America colonies their situation should have been better and also

argued the irrelevance of the fact that many Americans are British decedents. He branded

British as an enemy who had no legitimate claim to American allegiance, and he was against

reconciliation. The common sense pamphlet unit people to fight for their independence by

using rhetorical questions.

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THOMAS PAINE AND HIS COMMON SENSE PAMPHLET 1 Thomas Paine and his Common Sense Pamphlet The common sense pamphlet by Thomas pain contributed significantly to delegalizing claim to authority of British colonies. Paine brings the conviction that the idea of the importance of government is false and that the Americans should not negotiate but claim for their independence. Thomas viewed negotiation as self-sabotage. In this pamphlet, his point of view is that the government and society are two different things an idea he builds from a biblical perspective. According to his writing, he indicated that government was a necessary evil. Drawing his argument from a philosophical perspective and giving evidence from the Jews script, he challenges the idea of monarchy. Paine outlines the present state of America and its potential to win the war against the British rule. His writing came prior to ...
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Tags: Thomas pain restrain evil government oppressing poor conditions fundamental purpose