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Benjamin Franklin's Virtue Development Method

Apr 3, 2025

Primary Source Documents: Benjamin Franklin and Virtue

Key Objectives

  • Analyze Benjamin Franklin's method for developing and practicing virtues.
  • Close-read primary sources to summarize the main ideas.

Essential Vocabulary

  • Precept: A rule intended to regulate behavior or thought.
  • Conceived: To form or devise an idea in the mind.
  • Arduous: Requiring strenuous effort.
  • Inclination: A natural tendency to act or feel in a certain way.
  • Rectitude: Morally correct behavior.
  • Enumerations: Listing things one by one.
  • Annexed: Added as a subordinate part.
  • Eradicate: To completely destroy.
  • Endeavour: To try hard to achieve something.

Context

  • Benjamin Franklin, born in Boston in 1706, grew up in a Puritan society.
  • Initially rebellious against authority, he later sought self-improvement.
  • Moved to Philadelphia, started a printer's shop and civic initiatives.
  • Created civic institutions: libraries, fire departments, educational academies.
  • Entered politics: Continental Congress, diplomat, delegate to the Constitutional Convention.

Franklin's Method for Virtue

  • Conceived a project for moral perfection: avoid faults, conquer inclinations.
  • Realized the challenge was greater than expected.
  • Developed a method focusing on one virtue at a time for habituation.
  • Used 13 virtues, each with a precept:
    • Temperance: Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
    • Silence: Speak only if beneficial.
    • Order: Let everything have its place.
    • Resolution: Resolve to perform duties without fail.
    • Frugality: Waste nothing.
    • Industry: Always engage in something useful.
    • Sincerity: Avoid deceit; think justly.
    • Justice: Do no harm; fulfill duties.
    • Moderation: Avoid extremes.
    • Cleanliness: Maintain cleanliness in body and surroundings.
    • Tranquility: Do not be disturbed by trifles.
    • Chastity: Use venery minimally and responsibly.
    • Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

Franklin's Strategy

  • Focused on one virtue weekly, marking faults daily.
  • Aimed to clear faults successively over 13 weeks.
  • Found improvement through the endeavor, despite not achieving perfection.

Analysis Questions

  • How does Franklin define and refine virtue?
  • How did he incorporate virtues into his life?
  • Does he believe moral perfection is achievable?
  • What value did he find in his project?
  • How can Franklin's strategies be applied to personal development?

Additional Resources

  • Dred Scott v. Sandford case analysis.
  • Historical context and implications of Supreme Court decisions.

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