BUS1050 Group Project Due: April 30, 2014
Brianna Miner
Brett Palmer
Carl Goodfellow
Valerie Wilson
Zara Guinard-Bachman
Relevance to BUS1050:
Benjamin Franklin was an incredibly brilliant man of his time. In the second part of his
autobiography pages 38-he seeks to find moral perfection by practicing and acquiring a list of 13
virtues. Many of these virtues are traits that as a society we find admirable in a person. One
could make the claim that in today’s modern business world, the practice and application of the
13 virtues to business practices could create a more ethical system. The idea of course would
have to be started independently by determined and strong willed executives who by their
example could create a better world for all. When money, economics, and personal enterprise
are at the heart of all interactions, locally and globally, then it would greatly benefit everyone to
uphold a moral standard personally and professionally. Ben Franklin says, “I grew convinced that
truth, sincerity and integrity in dealings between man and man were of the utmost importance
to the felicity of life.”
This text is relevant to the course in that many of the works read this semester are thought
provoking pieces on what we may consider ethical when we think of business practices. This
applies to the ethic of business in that all people would benefit from bettering themselves and in
terms of employers and executives, leading by example is the best way to motivate the
employee.
At the end of Franklin’s journey to moral perfection he concludes, “on the whole, though I never
arrived at the perfection I had been so ambitious of obtaining, but fell far short of it, yet I was, by
the endeavor, a better and happier man than I otherwise should have been had I not attempted
it.”
Summary:
Around 1730, while in his late 20s, American publisher and future statesman Benjamin Franklin
listed thirteen virtues that he felt were important guides for living. Along with each virtue,
Franklin included a principle to follow that—in his opinion—would define a person of good
character.
These virtues can be divided into personal behavior and social character traits. Franklin tried to
follow these guides in his life, although he often went astray, he was quick to say that he felt as
though that attempting these helped him feel as though he had become a better person.
The Virtues:
1. Temperance:
“Eat not to dullness, drink not to elevation.”
This virtue espouses the need for moderation, especially in drink. Franklin also has the virtue
moderation, however it is possible that he struggled with drink in particular and therefore
wanted to ensure that it was not a vice from the beginning. By gaining control over this virtue he
inadvertently gains success with Moderation also. The example of eating to dullness and drinking
to elevation shows that there can be an excess of life’s pleasures that lead to reduced work
output and inefficiency. Accomplishing this virtue would also benefit in the acquisition of the
virtues Chastity, and Frugality.
2. Silence
“Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.”
Trifling is that of which is “unimportant or trivial”. Some synonyms are- insignificant, petty, and
minor. In other words, it is not necessary to talk about unimportant things. It is best to speak
with intent, and only at the right times when they are meaningful. Otherwise to be silent, and
spend more time listening, learning, and observing. Silence does not mean never talking but
refers to knowing when to avoid confrontation. Avoid talking about frivolous matters and only
share what is truly important.
3. Order: “Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.”
Order is something that one would expect very necessary in any business or personal life. We all
know those people who are continually scattered and seemingly scatter brained. Comically
enough even the brilliant Ben Franklin had a difficult time with Order. Here is what he had to say
on his attempt with this virtue, “I had not been early accustomed to it, and, having an exceeding
good memory, I was not so sensible of the inconvenience attending want of method. This article,
therefore, cost me so much painful attention, and my faults in it vexed me so much, and I made
so little progress in amendment, and had such frequent relapses, that I was almost ready to give
up the attempt, and content myself with a faulty character in that respect.”
4. Resolution:
“Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.”
Once Resolution becomes habitual, would keep a person firm in their endeavors to obtain all of
the subsequent virtues.
5. Frugality:
"Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself, i.e., waste nothing."
He believed by being wealthy, free of debt, and independent that it would also make it easier to
convey sincerity.
6. Industry:
“Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.”
Industry refers not only to making good use of your time by avoiding unnecessary tasks, but also
avoiding seeking out huge rewards for doing minimal work.
7. Sincerity:
"Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly."
He says "vicious actions are not hurtful because they are forbidden, but forbidden because they
are hurtful, the nature of man alone considered; that it was, therefore, everyone's interest to be
virtuous who wished to be happy even in this world;" ...that "no qualities were so likely to make
a poor man's fortune as those of probity and integrity."
Definition of probity- the quality of having strong moral principles; honesty and decency.
8. Justice:
“Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.”
This virtue ties in to sincerity above. It means being honest in all endeavors and by doing what
you know to be morally and ethically correct. In a larger sense justice can be considered taking
the course of action with the least reprehensible consequences that will create the greatest
good for the greatest number of people.
9. Moderation:
“Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.”
This virtue is easily accomplished conjunction with a few of the other virtues including;
temperance, frugality, chastity, and industry. Moderation is another word for balance. All things
in life require a certain degree of balance, work with home life, exercise with rest, and many
other are all more enjoyable when balanced and enjoyed in moderate quantities.
10. Cleanliness:
“Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.”
Cleanliness shows a sense of caring and attention to detail. By keeping our body, mind, and
surroundings clean we are able to stay focused, healthy, and show that one has a certain level of
self- respect.
11. Tranquility:
“Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.”
The irritations of modern life have left many men hot under the collar. Controlling one’s anger is
the mark of a cool and composed gentleman.
12. Chastity:
“Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your
own or another's peace or reputation.”
Chastity is defined as purity in conduct and intention as well as personal integrity. In business
today it seems that the only way to get ahead is through being dishonest. It is quite the contrary,
success is found when a business man can stand firmly and confidently behind the service or
product being offered. When others involved in business are treated with honesty and integrity
the same will more often than not be returned. No one wants to be involved with a business or
individual that is dishonest.
13. Humility: “Imitate Jesus and Socrates.”
Humility is a very difficult trait to acquire, there are few people that are truly modest. Even Ben
Franklin found this trait difficult for he found that in acquiring this trait he would become “proud
of his humility” which of course puts him back at square one. It is the reason that Ben Franklin
started with the virtue Temperance, moderation in all things is the key to achieving a felicitous
balance.
Questions and Answers:
Q: How would the application of the 13 virtues by a modern day businessman affect his business
practices?
A: A modern day businessman would do well to apply Benjamin Franklin’s 13 virtues to his home
and work life. Accomplishing proficiency of these virtues would have very positive correlations to
increased work output and satisfaction. The virtues are things that successful people are
admired for, practicing these virtues would lead to more honest business practices. More honest
business would in turn eventually lead to greater good for everyone and not just the persons at
the top of the pyramid. In the world of business, having a basic guideline of what most consider
moral would create an environment success and respect.
Q. How would being frugal and sincere contribute to the overall morality of business if it were to
be applied?
A: By being frugal, you are spending money only on necessities, this contributes to the overall
well-being of yourself and others, taking out the materialistic mindset. By staying free of debt
and managing your money wisely, you are able to be independent. It sets up a person who is
sustaining themselves and contributing to society in a positive way. If businesses were less
concerned about making money for unnecessary evils, and being more concerned about their
contribution to society, it would make for overall better relationships. Being sincere goes handin-hand with frugality, because by being independent and thinking modestly, you are able to be
humble and be concerned less about yourself and more about others.
Q: Why is Resolution so important when considered within the other virtues according to
Benjamin Franklin?
A: Once Resolution becomes habitual, it would keep us firm in all endeavors and to obtain all the
subsequent virtues discussed in this chapter. Resolution is akin to motivation and determination,
two things that are necessary if we are to be consistent in our efforts towards a specific goal or
outcome.
Q: At the beginning of page 38, Benjamin Franklin said,
“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.”
Do you think it possible to live a life of moral perfection?
A: It is possible that Franklin dramatized this statement to get a point across but it would be near
impossible to be morally perfect. Perfection is only what a person interprets it to be and
everyone has different morals. A person can possibly live by their own morals. It’s interesting
that one of the virtues is ‘Moderation’ when attempting to live by 13 distinct virtues at the same
time is a fairly extreme sense of living. Ben Franklin also realizes the improbability of becoming
morally perfect when he states his difficulty with the virtue Humility. “In reality, there is perhaps
no one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as pride. Disguise it, struggle with it, stifle it,
mortify it as much as one pleases, it is still alive, and will every now and then peep out and show
itself: you will see it, perhaps, often in this history; for even if I could conceive that I had
completely overcome it, I should probably be proud of my humility.”
Q: Order – What is Benjamin Franklin’s interpretation of order as a virtue? How is the virtue of
order being lost in modern society?
A: Ben Franklin considered order beyond just being organized but as a time management tool.
He believed to have order all things have their place and time including business.
In my opinion, in our uber connected world of cellular smart phones and mobile computing,
business is increasingly bleeding more and more into ‘personal’ time. Mr. Franklin admittedly
struggled with this virtue as we do now.
Q: Humility – How did the virtue of humility come to be added to Mr. Franklin’s list of 13 virtues?
A: A friend of Benjamin Franklin’s reminded him that he could be a proud individual suggesting
that he add humility to his list of virtues. Mr. Franklin described humility as being more like
Socrates and Jesus.
Sources
Franklin, Benjamin. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. Ed. Joyce E. Chaplin. New York: W.
W. Norton, 2012. Print. Norton Critical Editions.
Franklin, Benjamin. "The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin." ushistory.org: The Electric Ben
Franklin. Independence Hall Association, 4 July 1995. Web. 29 Apr. 2014.
<http://www.ushistory.org/franklin/autobiography/index.htm>.