Final answer:
Franklin aimed to cultivate virtues systematically, one at a time, to ensure their full internalization for character development. His emphasis on personal morality supported the concept of republican virtue. Regardless of wealth, Franklin believed in self-improvement as a path to virtue.
Step-by-step explanation:
By focusing on improving one virtue at a time, Franklin hoped to instill a sense of moral discipline and personal development. This deliberate approach to cultivating virtues was meant to lead to mastery and internalization of each virtue, which, in turn, would contribute to an individual's overall character growth and the enhancement of republican virtue. Franklin was aware that virtues like temperance, justice, and courage needed to be practiced to be learned. This echoes Aristotle's philosophy that virtues are acquired through exercise and repeated acts.
In addressing children inheriting great wealth, Franklin might suggest they still engage with his philosophy of self-improvement. His own rise from modest beginnings to wealth indicates his belief that personal effort, rather than inherited status, is key to moral development. Should wealthy children pursue virtue diligently, they could still embody the republican virtues.
Franklin's values and his subscription to deism emphasize the importance of personal morality over strict adherence to religious doctrines. By establishing institutions such as libraries, societies, and hospitals, Franklin demonstrated his commitment to improving society and nurturing the public's capacity for virtue. Therefore, Franklin's notion of republican virtue involves actively working toward the betterment of oneself and the community, not just personal success or moral righteousness.