Benjamin Franklin and the Way to Virtue

Abstract

IN THE EARLY 1760s BENJAMIN FRANKLIN CONFIDED TO HIS FRIEND, THE Scottish philosopher and jurist, Lord Kames, that nearly 30 years he had had in preparation a book on ethics. 'Tis not a mere ideal Work, Franklin assured Kames, by which he meant that it was not a mere dream. I plann'd it first in 1732, Franklin revealed, and since then made Experiments of Method, with Success. The Materials have been growing ever since; Form only is now to be given, a task that Franklin expected to be able to complete in short order.' Franklin explained to Kames that projected book was intended for Benefit of Youth and was to be called The Art of Virtue. The object of work was practical: to show those who wanted to be good to achieve their goal. Many people, Franklin told Kames, bad lives that would gladly lead good ones, but know not to make Change. They frequently have resolv'd and endeavour'd it; but in vain, because their Endeavours have not been properly conducted. What is use of exhortation to virtue, Franklin asked, when people are not shown how they shall become S0.2 Virtue is an art, Franklin maintained, as much as painting, architecture, or navigation. If a person wants to become a painter, a navigator, or an architect, it is not enough simply to be advised to be or to be convinc'd by arguments of an adviser that it would be advantageous to be one, or even to resolve to be one. One must learn the Principles of Art, be shewn all Methods of Working, and to acquire