Which virtue did Franklin struggle with the most?
The virtue of order gave Franklin the most difficulty. Franklin is quick to give up on his efforts because he saw Little progress and settles for the “speckled ox.”
What was Benjamin Franklin’s American Dream?
Benjamin Franklin believed that every American must perfect each virtue in order to attain the America dream and make America into a great world power. Another Old World value that Franklin rejected was the censoring of any idea not ordained by the King of Britain.
What is moral perfection?
In measures perfection in terms of avoiding bad behavior, instead of measuring it by the good choices you make, and the values you achieve. Moral perfection is compatible with achieving little value in your life, as long as you don’t violate any of the rules. A better goal would be to maximize your values.
Who is the American dream meant for?
The American dream is the belief that anyone, regardless of where they were born or what class they were born into, can attain their own version of success in a society in which upward mobility is possible for everyone.
What was Franklin’s plan for moral perfection?
It was about this time I conceived the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection. I wished to live without committing any fault at any time; I would conquer all that either natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into.
What reason did Franklin have for placing temperance first?
Franklin began his list of virtues with temperance because it was the virtue that would develop the self-discipline necessary to adhere to the other 12 virtues. Temperance calls for a man to avoid overindulgence in food or drink.
How does Franklin define virtue?
We can define a virtue by a fundamental positive characteristic. Then he made every virtue clear and concrete by creating a corresponding application principle in terms of attitude, decision or action. Here are the thirteen virtues of Benjamin Franklin: 1. Temperance: Eat not to dullness.
How would you describe Franklin’s task?
What is Franklin’s “arduous project”? The project of arriving at moral perfection. He describes it as living without committing any fault at any time, and conquering all that either Natural Inclination, Custom, or Company might lead him into.
Why is it surprising that the virtue of order gives him the most trouble?
Order gave him the most trouble because of the type of business he does. How is the speckled axe a symbol for accepting one’s faults? It represents that he wasnt willing to work hard enough to get rid of all his faults.
What made Franklin realize that he had given too much for a whistle?
He came from a large family where money was never something that was offered often. When he got home, his family soon made him aware that he had paid far too much for the whistle and that he could have bought four times as many. This upset Franklin so much so that he lost all pleasure in the whistle.
Which virtue is hardest for Franklin to master?
He adopted thirteen virtues (temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility), and attempted to improve one per week. He argued that the most difficult one for him was order, because his good memory made it unnecessary.
Did Ben Franklin achieve moral perfection?
While Franklin never accomplished his goal of moral perfection, and had some notable flaws (womanizing and his love of beer probably gave him problems with chastity and temperance), he felt he benefited from the attempt at it.
What traits did Ben Franklin want to develop in himself?
Benjamin Franklin’s Character Traits
- Ardent and Dutiful. Charming, naturally sociable, and witty, Franklin drew people to him wherever he lived.
- Ambitious and Rebellious.
- Motivated to Improve.
- Strategic and Persuasive.
- More to Explore.
- Get It To Go.
What is Franklin’s method for acquiring the 13 virtues?
Continually obsessed with self-betterment, Franklin consents “to the bold and arduous project of arriving at Moral Perfection.” He creates a list of 13 virtues that are, in order: Temperance, Silence, Order, Resolution, Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquility, Chastity, and …
Which virtue on Franklin’s list strikes you as being the most important?
Plan for attaining Moral Perfection 1. Respond: which virtue on Franklin’s list strikes you as being the most important? Explain. To me Industry is the most important virtue nowadays, since technology is taking over our lives and we are losing control of it, becoming less productive and having our anxiety over the top.
What are Franklin’s opinions about habit?
“But I soon found I had undertaken a task of more difficulty than I had imagined. While my care was employed in guarding against one fault, I was often surprised by another; habit took the advantage of inattention; inclination was sometimes too strong for reason.”
How can you tell that Franklin was trying to create a likable character?
Responses to Biography & Literature I can tell that Franklin was trying to make a more likable character because he was trying to sound like a woman in his stories. He wrote a letter to the author of the New-England Courant to tell their readers, that he intends to present them stories to entertain them.
Why is Benjamin Franklin called the First American?
Franklin earned the title of the “First American” for his efforts to unite the 13 American colonies, and for his long campaign for American independence from England. He went to London as a representative of Americans to get the British to keep assisting American colonies.
What was Benjamin Franklin’s philosophy of life?
Of the American Founders, Franklin had an unrivaled understanding of the individual human soul. At the heart of his political vision is a view of democratic citizenship, a rich understanding of the qualities of the heart and mind necessary to support liberty and sustain happiness.
How do you achieve moral perfection?
Plan for Attaining Moral Perfection
- Temperance. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
- Silence. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
- Order.
- Resolution.
- Frugality.
- Industry.
- Sincerity.
- Justice.
Why does Franklin devote a week to each virtue?
In The Autobiography, why does Franklin assign a week to each of the virtues he is trying to achieve? In The Autobiography, Franklin believes that he can become a better person. When Franklin first devised his project to attain moral perfection, he thought it would be difficult but possible to become perfect.
How much time has Franklin allotted to each virtue?
one week