Moral Perfection In Benjamin Franklin: An American Life

In this regard, he promoted a bourgeois ethic that had as primary aims temperance, education, frugality, improvement and industry. Poor Richard’s maxims and the table of virtues he came up with were the determining basis of the attainment of “moral perfection”. In 1730 Benjamin Franklin formulated a table of thirteen virtues including moral values related to bourgeois moral life, Christian ethics and good business system. His Autobiography reveals the essence of these virtues: “It was about this time that I conceiv’d 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” (84). The thirteen

He considers Franklin “a member of the leather-aproned class” who was not the obsessed with luxurious life of the hereditary aristocracy (3). The same author remarks also that as a Founding Father, one of his most significant visions on the American Dream was “an American national identity based on the virtues and values of its middle class” (3). He believed in the power of what he called “the middling class”, in other words he believed in the rising power of the common men. Therefore, he displayed his lifestyle as an example to follow and offered advice for cultivating personal virtues and for promoting the common good. The practical angle hehad in the various aspects of his interest – science, journalism, diplomacy, government etc. – contributed to the achievement of his American Dream. The source of his thoughts on industry derives from his work at the age of ten at his father’s candle and soap shop. Isaacson notes that “Franklin became an apostle of being industrious” (54). His inclination for vegetarianism springs not just from health and moral sources, but from financial motives. He rather ate raisins and biscuits in order to save his money for

In order to advance his business life he formed a club of tradesmen and artisans in 1727 which was generally called Leather Apron Club, but its official name was Junto. This club made possible for young workingmen, rather than the social elite to gather, discuss philosophical and career-related issues and to encourage self-improvement.

His exemplary life of an inventive, upwardly mobile, ethical and virtuous businessman is the reason why Franklin’s image has appeared on medals, coins, stamps, paper money and magazine covers in America.

There are no few historians and scholars who believe that Benjamin Franklin’s American Dream is dead. In the 18th century the story of a poor man who has never lost his power and determination in craftsmanship and got rich had an impressive effect on the American citizens. It was Ben Franklin who outstripped his humble beginnings and achieved the American Dream American people