Question

Throughout this speech, Douglass alludes to several social and political issues relevant to the situation at hand, at the same time that he reflects on broader, more philosophical ideas. What philosophical issues does he raise in the section beginning, In his natural condition, however, man is only potentially great (paragraph 16)?

a) The nature of freedom and equality
b) The inherent greatness of humanity
c) The impact of slavery on human potential
d) The role of government in shaping individuals

Answer 1

Frederick Douglass philosophically addresses the inherent greatness of humanity, the impact of slavery on human potential, and the nature of freedom and equality as they contrast with the institutional and societal constraints imposed by slavery and racial inequality.

Step-by-step explanation:

In his speech, Frederick Douglass raises several philosophical issues in the section beginning with “In his natural condition, however, man is only potentially great”. Among these, Douglass discusses the inherent greatness of humanity and reflects on how this potential is stifled by the institution of slavery. He argues that such institutions not only harm those in bondage but also the slaveholders, creating a widespread detriment to society. Furthermore, Douglass alludes to the broader implications of freedom and equality as declared in the United States Declaration of Independence, examining the tension between the founding principles and the reality of racial inequality and slavery. He questions the role of government in relation to the potential greatness of individuals and the impact that laws and societal structures have on shaping - and oftentimes degrading - human potential.