Question

Read the short excerpt from The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin. "It was about this time I conceived the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection. I wish'd to live without committing any fault at any time; I would conquer all that either natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into. As I knew, or thought I knew, what was right and wrong, I did not see why I might not always do the one and avoid the other. But I soon found I had undertaken a task of more difficulty than I had imagined. While my care was employ'd in guarding against one fault, I was often surprised by another; habit took the advantage of inattention; inclination was sometimes too strong for reason. I concluded, at length, that the mere speculative conviction that it was our interest to be completely virtuous, was not sufficient to prevent our slipping; and that the contrary habits must be broken, and good ones acquired and established, before we can have any dependence on a steady, uniform rectitude of conduct. For this purpose I therefore contrived the following method. In the various enumerations of the moral virtues I had met with in my reading, I found the catalogue more or less numerous, as different writers included more or fewer ideas under the same name. Temperance, for example, was by some confined to eating and drinking, while by others it was extended to mean the moderating every other pleasure, appetite, inclination, or passion, bodily or mental, even to our avarice and ambition. I propos'd to myself, for the sake of clearness, to use rather more names, with fewer ideas annex'd to each, than a few names with more ideas; and I included under thirteen names of virtues all that at that time occurr'd to me as necessary or desirable, and annexed to each a short precept, which fully express'd the extent I gave to its meaning. These names of virtues, with their precepts, were: Temperance: Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation. Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yours

Answer 1

Benjamin Franklin's Thirteen Virtues represent a system aimed at achieving moral perfection through habitual practice, aligning with Aristotle's philosophy that moral virtues develop through habit. Franklin believed in continual self-improvement and reflection, while Aristotle emphasized that virtuous actions lead to a virtuous character through deliberate and reasoned choice.

Step-by-step explanation:

Benjamin Franklin and the Thirteen Virtues

Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, created a system of Thirteen Virtues which he believed were essential for personal development and the creation of a virtuous society. These virtues included Temperance, Silence, Order, Resolution, Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquillity, Chastity, and Humility. Franklin highlighted the significance of habituation in moral education, aligning with Aristotle's notion that virtues arise out of repeated practices and become a part of one's character through habitual actions.

According to Franklin, each virtue could be understood and applied through adherence to a specific precept. For instance, 'Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation' under Temperance emphasizes self-control over physical appetites, while 'Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation' under Silence focuses on the importance of meaningful communication. Franklin's method for achieving moral perfection, although an arduous task, indicates a journey of continual self-improvement and reflection on one's actions.

In philosophy, Franklin's views resonated with the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, who argued that moral virtues, as opposed to intellectual virtues, are not innate but are developed through habit. Aristotle emphasized that practicing virtuous actions leads to the formation of a virtuous character. This process involves self-awareness, deliberate choice, and an understanding of the reasons behind those choices.