Summary/Response Benjamin Franklin's Quote

In a quote from 1759, Benjamin Franklin confronted the human race by declaring that a person who would give up their rights for temporary safety deserves neither liberty, nor safety. He illustrated that the amount of security society could attain by giving up their freedoms was not worth the cost. Franklin’s words resonated with society 250 years ago, and still do today.

Now that it is 2014, Benjamin Franklin’s quote is not accurate in its argument because the dangers in this world have surpassed those of Franklin’s time, and in order to save countless people, society must be able to give up a few rights. When Benjamin Franklin was alive, the biggest fears of the people included government takeover, losing money, or not having enough to keep warm and fed in the winter. Nowadays, people have to worry about things like terrorists, nuclear warfare, and mass murders. The advancement of technology has posed threats to society that Ben Franklin’s culture never had to deal with, such as school shootings. Had Franklin been alive now, he may have thought differently. Furthermore, because of the imminent danger that exists in the world presently, many of people are at risk. It is better to save millions of people and give up a few minor rights, than to live with the guilt of having full rights while innocent people die. Due to the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, airport security has increased and privacy rights may have been violated. However, plane flights have been made much safer in the process, and the U.S. has prevented another 9/11 from happening. While Benjamin Franklin’s argument made sense in the 1700’s, it is not applicable now because the world has changed, the danger has increased, and it is necessary to give up a few liberties to save the lives of a great number of people.