Today, we might be inclined to conclude
that inequality rather than equality characterizes our society.
In the early 19th century, the British philosopher Jeremy Bentham
dismissed the Jeffersonian view of natural rights as utter nonsense, while
others observing the violent and radical revolutions occurring in places, such
as France and Haiti, decided that democracy was dangerous and unrealistic.
In part three, we learned how, in the midst
of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln revived Jefferson's reputation.
Yeah, we also learned the Jefferson's status
as a great American founder continued to oscillate throughout the later 19th
and into the 20th century, in response to developments at home and abroad.
By the late 20th century, it was possible to
see Jefferson as both a hypocrite and a visionary.
We'll ask why that's so.
Mr. Onuf concludes his lecture in part four by offering a couple key points
to keep in mind as we begin our attempt to understand Jefferson and his world.
After reminding us that we need to acknowledge
the many differences between Jefferson's world and our
own, Mr. Onuf introduces an important theme, a
paradox that we will trace throughout the course.
Jefferson's invention of a new world in America that he believed
simultaneous repudiates and revives the civilization of the old world of Europe.
It's this tension between value in the past and looking toward
the future that lies at the heart of the two concepts
of exceptionalism that can be found in Jefferson's thought.
By the end of this lecture then you should be able to do a couple things.
First, you should be able to explain when and why Jefferson's
reputation was generally held in relatively high or relatively low regard.
Second, you should be able to offer a few reasons
why studying Jefferson is a worthwhile enterprise for us today.
Imagine you have a skeptical friend who doesn't
understand why you're taking a course about Jefferson.
What would you tell her?
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