Benjamin Franklin is often considered one of the greatest
men in the history of America. He was a
successful business man, politician, scientist, writer, and much
more. Early in his life, he chose to put
together a system of virtues to live by.
Benjamin Franklin became a better person by implementing his system of
virtues because of the religious, physical and psychological impacts of
his values.
To begin, Franklin became a better individual because of the
religious impact of his virtues.
Like other Rationalists of his day, Franklin believed in God and morality, but
distanced himself from the various religious sects. This was a result of his study time on
Sundays, and the distorted goals of many religious groups. He stated that “Their aim seeming to be
rather to make us Presbyterians than good citizens” (Franklin). Benjamin Franklin believed living a morally
blameless life was an achievement to strive for, and he tried to live up to it
himself. Humility, chastity, and
tranquility are three virtues that were directly influenced by Franklin’s more
religious side. The religious impact on
Franklin’s system of virtues was one of the biggest factors in making him a
better person.
Along with religion, implementing these virtues into his life
allowed Franklin the benefit of a better physical life. Cleanliness, temperance, and order are three
virtues that were directly related to improving his life physically. By using these virtues he may have extended the
years of his life because of the healthy lifestyle for which it promotes. “I am now finishing my eighty-fourth year,
and probably with it my career in this life; but whatever state of existence I
am placed in hereafter, if I retain any memory of what has passed here, I shall
with it retain the esteem, respect, and affection, with which I have long been,
my dear friend, yours most sincerely" (Bloom). This quote was stated by Benjamin Franklin
nearing his death, and it shows that he was happy with the way he had lived his
life.
A final impact of Franklin’s thirteen virtues was a psychological
one. Individual thinking and problem solving was encouraged was encouraged by
the implementation of these virtues. “
By But while official duty and patriotism gave Franklin occasion to propagate
and actualize so many useful and requisite principles, to become the thinker
and advocate,—the incarnated common- sense of his country and his time,—there was
another sphere of mental activity, another range of sagacious enterprise, in
which he expatiated with kindred success. This was the domain of science”
(Bloom). Franklin was able to make many scientific
discoveries because of his good habits formed from following his virtues. Science was his favorite area to work in,
which was influenced by the virtues of industry and resolution. Another psychosocial impact that improved
Franklin’s life was the conquering of bad habits. He
stated that “I was often surprised by another; habit took the advantage of
inattention; inclination was sometimes too strong for reason” (Franklin). He understood that orderly thinking and
logic was necessary to make the best decisions rather than trust his experience
as a human.
Benjamin Franklin
was able to become a better person by implementing his virtues and following
them because of religious, physical, and psychological influences. Franklin not only became one of the most
influential founding fathers, but also a renounced scientist and
philosopher. Without his system of
virtues, he would not have become the same man.
Even today, there is still relevance in his implementation of this
system.
Bloom, Harold, ed. "The Character of Franklin." Benjamin
Franklin, Classic Critical Views. New York: Chelsea House Publishing, 2008. Bloom's
Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=&iPin=C
C VBF019&SingleRecord=True (accessed October 27, 2012).
Franklin, Benjamin. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin.
N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.
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