A Project of Moral Perfection: Benjamin Franklin’s List of Virtues and Purpose

How Benjamin Franklin's dedication to the practice of virtue throughout his life show his purpose?

Walk-In-The-Shoes Questions
As you read, imagine you are the protagonist.

• What challenges are you facing?
• What fears or concerns might you have?
• What may prevent you from acting in the way you ought?

Observation Questions

• What was Benjamin Franklin’s identity?
• What was Franklin’s purpose in developing his plan for moral perfection?
• How did Franklin attempt to achieve moral perfection? Did he succeed? Why or why not?
• How did Benjamin Franklin’s purposeful life help to advance freedom for himself as well as for others?

Discussion Questions
Discuss the following questions with your students.

• What is the historical context of the narrative?
• What historical circumstances presented a challenge to the protagonist?
• How and why did the individual exhibit a moral and/or civic virtue in facing and overcoming the challenge?
• How did the exercise of the virtue benefit civil society?
• How might exercise of the virtue benefit the protagonist?
• What might the exercise of the virtue cost the protagonist?
• Would you react the same under similar circumstances? Why or why not?
• How can you act similarly in your own life? What obstacles must you overcome in order to do so?

• Students will analyze Benjamin Franklin’s attempts to be virtuous in his life.
• Students will examine how Franklin was purposeful in the way that he lived.
• Students will apply their knowledge about purpose to their own lives.