Benjamin Franklin

1. Benjamin Franklin faced adversity in his life at a young age. He dealt with criticism, loneliness, harsh conditions, and poverty all at an age where the body and mind are in constant change. At only seventeen years of age, Franklin left his family in Boston to travel 300 miles away to New York and then 100 miles more to Philadelphia so that he may have a fresh start at life. Seeking employment in a new city, many miles away from home, Franklin had very little money and no recommendations or assistance. Despite all of the challenges he faced, Franklin managed to survive and become a successful, learned man. He overcame these obstacles by persevering and adhering to his own rules of conduct, which shows that he is a man of discipline. The trait that best describes his character is discipline, for Franklin adhered to his rules and overcame the difficulties in his life through sheer obedience and determination.

2. When Franklin journeys from Boston to Philadelphia, he also leaves behind his home and family. At seventeen years old, Franklin needed a base to support and guide him, something to help him through the tests he endured. The dangerous voyages over waters to a new state and city posed a threat to his safety and yet he survived on his own. The instability of where he would sleep or eat was hazardous to his health and Franklin fought through it. The fact that young Franklin persevered through difficult times shows that his character as a child was strong-willed and courageous. Franklin did what he had to do in order to uphold his family’s name and therefore agreed to move away. In leaving, Franklin showed that he not only respected his family but cherished their connection as well. His character as a child was strong, morally integral, and honorable indeed.

3. Franklin’s project of moral perfection was based on thirteen virtues that should be practiced in order to be “Morally Perfect.” Franklin proposed that in order to arrive at moral perfection, one must practice the traits and break habits because the interest of being perfect was not enough. He said that by nature, humans rely on habits which are both good and bad, that they speculative conviction of interest was not enough to achieve rectitude of conduct. What he suggests of human nature is that we are creatures of habit that must practice indefinitely to master a new habit. This ties into his views of education because it suggests that to achieve an education, one must form good habits and employ them ceaselessly or else bad habits will return. Furthermore, it proposes that the mere interest in learning is not enough and we must wholly commit to the art. I agree with his Franklin’s views, however, I realize that there can never be such a thing as “Moral Perfection” for another human trait is that we are, indeed, human. By law, humans fault. It is nature, that mistakes will be made and conduct broken. As long as the intention is there, I believe that a person can be morally inclined but never perfect. As for education, each will decide how