Benjamin’s Junto

            Benjamin’s club called Junto interested me, because it was an intellectual group with the intentions of self-improvement. It is a place to learn of different influences and to spread some influence in return, a place where friends can be made and progress can be learned.

Twelve of Benjamin’s friends created a club called the Junto where they shared a library and business tips. Benjamin would go fishing for intellectuals in a different more casual business club and would invite them to the Junto. Though to be accepted, you had to answer four questions correctly to join. One of them was “Do you love truth for truth's sake, and will you endeavor impartially to find and receive it yourself, and communicate it to others?” Every Friday night the club would meet and have conversation about morals, philosophy, history, and science.

This club is interesting because the men could celebrate while learning from a variety of friends completely orally. Members can meet and join for a true intellectual conversation. This is also fascinating because the Junto, besides having an American founder, is very much a piece of American culture. The four questions are a great capture of the American philosophy on religious freedom and his conversation starters also shows the American interest of a business oriented and increasingly scientifically innovative civilization. On top of this, the Junto was also for self-improvement and community-improving activities.

Fascinating enough Juntos are rising during the 21st century even in Africa and Canada. Benjamin Franklin created a human structure that is healthy for the community. He founded a place that encourages society to advance for the good.