What Is Benjamin Franklin's Code Of Morality

Benjamin Franklin came up with the idea to make his life better by trying to be perfect in every way. This can otherwise be known as trying to reach a state of moral perfection, in which one could find themselves being happy with the life they live, and also living a pure, sinless life. It has come to be questioned if attempting to achieve moral perfection is a worthwhile goal. In the end of his experiment he ended up not being able to reach or achieve his goal but learned a very crucial, very valuable lesson. He discovered throughout the recesses of his journey that achieving his goal would be found to be impossible, but in turn he learned that many of the virtues are good to try and maintain during everyday activities and through life

In his autobiography, Benjamin Franklin discusses the importance of thirteen virtues that can make a man as close to perfect as possible. He explains the value of each virtue and keeps a detailed and organized chart of how he practices those virtues. Personally, I understand his methodology in his autobiography and have actually done the same when I was younger. Although I relate to the majority of his listed characteristics, I’ve found that I struggle the most with resolution.

Explain Franklin’s quest for moral perfection. What process did he use? How successful was he? Which virtues did he find most challenging to maintain? What was meant by saying “a speckled ax is best?”

According to the definition of the Moral Compass text, moral compass is the reflective, international adoption of values and behaviors as a framework for realizing the good in oneself, in others, and in the social and material environment. My own moral compass is constructed mainly by my parents and the eastern social values and principles of relationships, which are largely influenced by the thoughts and ideas of Buddhism, Taoism and the Confucianism. Among them, Confucianism affects my country’s social values and furthermore my parents and my moral compass the most. In the contrast of Western culture, Confucianism puts a huge emphasis on the relationships between individuals in family, school,

‘A house divided against itself cannot stand.’ I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved -- I do not expect the house to fall -- but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other.

In the article, “Laying Claim to a Higher Morality,” Melissa Mae discusses the controversial topic of using torture as a part of interrogating detainees. She finds the common ground between the supporting and opposing sides of the argument by comparing two different sources, “Inhuman Behavior” and “A Case for Torture.” Mae includes clear transitions from each side of the argument and concise details to ensure that the essay was well constructed. The purpose of the essay is clear, and it is interesting, insightful, and unbiased.

Abraham Lincoln once stated in his House Divided speech, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” Lincoln believes that there is no such thing as a balance between free and slave states and that the two contradictory governments are bound to fall. That describes the conflict that occurs in the fictional novel, The Killer Angels, a civil war story between the Union and Confederate states fighting to achieve the government they yearn for.

The United States half-slave and half-free is a nation divided. “United we stand together we fall.” As a nation in the United States we are to unite as one. Abraham Lincoln, (Schweikart, L., & Allen, M. P. 2004. A Patriot's History of the United States: From Columbus's Great Discovery to the War on Terror pp 303) stated the Republican party looks at the institution of slavery as morally, politically, and socially wrong. Nominated for the United States Senate, Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous words

“The star spangled banner is now the harbinger of liberty and the millions in bondage will rally under that banner” (Dudley 167). This powerful quote was spoken by Frederick Douglas. The meaning behind these words show how millions of African American and white citizens should come together to fight for the Union (Dudley 167) Clement Vallandigham had said “It was good enough for my fathers. It is good enough for us and our children after us” (Dudley 170). He believes since the United states have had slaves for seventy years the United States will continue to have slaves (Dudley 169). “The thought of a country unified in sentiments, objects and ideas, has not entered into their political calculations, and hence this newly declared policy of the Government” Frederick Douglass, the man who spoke those words, understood that as a nation evolves, the culture evolves as well; the two must work conjointly (Dudley 167). What was true seventy years ago would not always be true in order for a country to grow and thrive (Dudley

Eric Foner argues that the growing that the moral split of slavery in politics was just as irrepressible as the civil war. He argues that the only way to restore the union was through war, thus making it irrepressible. Following the idea that the moral split of slavery was not entailed by the political uprising against or for slavery, politics speakers such as Seward and his “Irrepressible Conflict” speech, were simply a voice for the people. They were able to speak what the people thought and were able to gain such support because their approval. Another political leader who spoke about the irrepressibility of the civil war was Abraham Lincoln in his “House Divided” Speech. He gives this speech in 1858 when he receives the republican nomination for the presidency. He emphasizes that slavery must come to an eventual end in order to preserve the union, even if it must be done with force. He states that in order for slavery to come to it’s eventual end that, “ it will not cease until a crisis shall have been reached and passed. ‘A house divided against itself cannot stand’. I believe this government cannot endure, permanently, half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved; I do not expect the house to fall; but I do expect it will cease to be divided.” (Lincoln). Slavery would come to an eventual end in the union, but the only way to do achieve this would be through the civil war. The reason for

"It is impossible under the deadly hatred which must spring up between the two great nations, if the present causes are permitted to operate unchecked, that we should continue under the same political system. The conflicting elements would burst the Union asunder, powerful as are

The first virtue Ben Franklin wanted was “An Aversion to Tyranny”. The main idea of this to Ben is that he doesn’t like tyranny, which is power or control of one person. He didn’t like to be told what to do to and he also liked some control and therefore, have a limited government. Ben didn’t want any dictatorship either, which meant no kings or queens. Franklin realized that he didn’t like the idea of tyranny when he was 12 years old. He became an apprentice at the print shop of his older brother, James, who tended to be a tougher boss.

‘A house divided against itself cannot stand.’ I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved -- I do not expect the house to fall -- but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other.

“Slavery is founded in the selfishness of man 's nature -- opposition to it is in his love of justice. These principles are an eternal antagonism; and when brought into collision so fiercely, as slavery extension brings them, shocks, and throes, and convulsions must ceaselessly follow. Repeal the Missouri Compromise -- repeal all compromises -- repeal the declaration of independence -- repeal all past history, you still can not repeal human nature. It still will be the abundance of man 's heart, that slavery extension is wrong; and out of the abundance of his heart, his mouth will continue to speak.”

In spite of the fact that Franklin was hardly a puritan, he was nevertheless very much a child of the Puritans. This is not displayed merely in his promotion of the virtues, but in his abstaining from excessiveness in eating, drinking, conversation, or whatever. Franklin is strongly influenced with self-governance In numerous ways, this is, to someone coming to it for the first time, a very amazing book. Franklin is, of course, one of the most celebrated Americans who ever lived, and his credentials in a wide arrangement of endeavors are a part of American knowledge and popular history. A great deal of this knowledge and numerous of his accomplishments are missing from this account of his life. He never finished the autobiography, earlier in his life on account of the fact that he was too engaged with what he terms public employment’s, and later in life by virtue of the opium he was taking for kidney stones left him incapable to concentrate adequately. Had Franklin been able to write about every period of his life and all of his achievements, his autobiography would have been one of the most exceptional and outstanding documents every produced. It is astonishingly imperious. However, his record as an office-holder is stained by the use he made of his position to advance his relatives. He was one of the most important statesmen in the new America and was a historical figure who shaped our nations history. He was a very