Benjamin Franklin's Virtues by Brenna

Benjamin Franklin's Virtues by Brenna - February 2015 Scholarship Essay

Through my academic career, the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin has been one of the most influential books I have read. It has been utilized in several of my upper-division courses to teach various important life lessons. If students were to read this book in high school, they will gain an advantage to the insights provided in the book at an earlier age than myself.

My favorite lesson learned from this book came from a course called, “The Enlightenment Invention of the Modern Self.” My professor emphasized how Franklin utilized his thirteen virtues to become successful within society. He said Franklin was a man who believed that if an individual were to conform to and embrace the restraints imposed on an individual by society, one could thrive and become successful.

My professor contrasted Franklin’s belief with that of the great-dilemma as presented by Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Rousseau believed that the great-dilemma was the need to free oneself from the social restraints imposed on the individual at birth. Although both men were great thinkers during the enlightenment and led exceptional lives each found fit for themselves, one led a life of wealth while the other led a mediocre life as a music copy write.

If students were to learn about Franklin’s work ethic and why he valued the daily practice of his virtues, the students may be able to incorporate some practiced virtues into their lives in order to become who they desire to become.