Answer :
Final answer:
In 'Gulliver's Travels, decency, benevolence, and civility suggest rational or virtuous qualities, while the term fox does not. Mercy is not one of Franklin's thirteen virtues. Philosophers like Aristotle and Plato discuss the importance of reason in the development of virtue.
Explanation:
In Gulliver's Travels, decency, benevolence, and civility are all words that suggest rational or virtuous qualities. These terms imply moral goodness, kindness, and proper social behavior, which align with the virtues of a rational and virtuous society. However, the term fox is not typically associated with virtue. Instead, a fox is often used as a symbol of cunning or slyness and does not directly imply virtue.
Turning to Benjamin Franklin's thirteen virtues, we find that sincerity, temperance, and tranquility are listed among them. However, mercy is not one of Franklin's original thirteen virtues, although it is commonly regarded as a virtuous quality in broader ethical discussions.
Within the themes of virtue and rationality, political philosophers like Aristotle and Plato have discussed these qualities at length. Aristotle emphasizes that virtue is the development or perfection of reason. Plato, on the other hand, establishes wisdom, courage, discipline, and justice as the foundational virtues of a state. Both perspectives value rationality as being integral to the development of virtuous character.