Virtues are character traits that enable individuals to develop positive attitudes and dispositions to be virtuous and achieve higher ideals. Namely, integrity, frankness, generosity, fairness, and compassion can be counted as adjectives that a virtuous person possesses. These characteristics are developed through life experiences, learning, and practicing an ethical life. While we inherit virtues from our parents and family members at young ages, most virtues are obtained through social connections and experiences. People knowingly or unknowingly practice virtues until they become habits and a part of their existence. Once a virtue is established, it boosts itself by continuously
being referred to. For example, when an individual develops a fairness virtue, people refer to them as a fair person, so the individual tends to maintain fairness. Virtues are naturally disposed to act consistently with moral codes ("Ethics & Virtues," 1988).
Benjamin Franklin, an American legend, is well-known for his efforts to invent the idea of the "self-made man" (McKey, 2008). Franklin was a prosperous painter, author, musician, and politician. Franklin's eagerness for constant self-improvement had a tremendous impact on his success. Franklin pondered achieving a virtuous character and a moral life at age twenty. He then plotted a plan and set goals by developing 13 virtues and committing to them. Franklin's 13 virtues consisted of Temperance, Silence, Order, Resolution, Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquility, Chastity, and Humility. "Thirteen was not a nod to the original colonies, nor was it random. Franklin selected 13 because that number matches neatly into a 52-week calendar by multiplying 13 by four" (Allan, 2018).
I select silence, industry, and sincerity for this blog as I am inclined to comply with them more. Benjamin Franklin explained these virtues as:
Silence. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
Industry. Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
Sincerity. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
Using the virtue of silence is not about not speaking and remaining silent in conversations. It is about speaking consciously and purposefully. Franklin's virtue of silence dictates a follower draw the line where an unimportant or trivial conversation begins. ("Franklin's 13 Virtues: Silence," 2019). Another purpose of this virtue is to have a speaker at a time. Franklin believes that in a discussion, one person
talks, and another individual listens. This virtue increases the efficiency of a conversation since all involved parties hear each other out. Franklin's 13th virtue signifies the importance of "first listen, then speak." Franklin also emphasizes having a point when speaking. He considered pointless talks foolish.
"Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something." – Plato.
Being industrious and spending the most valuable gift to our lives, time, in proper ways that improve our souls is an essential habit that Frankin discussed through his virtue of industry. Garrett (2019) states that Franklin employed the term industry because the word implied the production of goods and services, and as a virtue, the term defines spending time in a way it pursues worthwhile and important goals.
Unfortunately, many elements prevent people from being industrious in today's life. For example, gaming. I consider gaming a waste of time, spending hours of precious time to achieve goals that make no positive impact in life. Gaming is a highly addictive practice that prevents people from learning and acquiring valuable skills and being productive.
"Research into positive psychology shows that practicing industriousness can improve your mood, fight off depression, and make you a happier and more generous person. By pushing through and seeing your [actual - not virtual]
goals met, you will build resilience and self-confidence in your future ability to tackle any new challenges that come your way" (Garrett, 2019).
In the dictionary, sincerity, a Latin word, is defined as "avoiding deceit, duplicity, and hypocrisy." Sincerity stands out to promote honesty in intention or communication. I translate sincerity as honesty and truthfulness. Most of us tend to follow our ethical standards and be virtuous people. However, we often forget there are many components to it. One of these elements is being sincere about others' privacy. Disseminating peoples' personal attributes, whether we accidentally learned about them or the person confidentially shared them with us, abates our sincerity and, thus, precludes us from being virtuous people. Gossip and keeping confidence are issues I encounter more and more in today's society.
Sarcasm is another problem in our society that does not fit the content of sincerity. Sarcasm hurts the sarcastic person and the people around them. "Sarcasm is their means of indirectly expressing aggression toward others and insecurity about themselves. Wrapping their thoughts in a joke shields them from the vulnerability of directly putting one's opinions out there. "Sarcastic people protect themselves by only letting the world see a superficial part of who they are" (Steven Stosny, n.d., as quoted in McKay, 2021).
References:
"Benjamin Franklin's 13 Virtues: Silence." Wisdom in All Things, 11 Feb. 2019, www.wisdominallthings.com/benjamin-franklins-13-virtues-silence/
Allan, D. "Ben Franklin's '13 Virtues' Path to Personal Perfection." CNN, 1 Mar. 2018, www.cnn.com/2018/03/01/health/13-virtues-wisdom-project/index.html#:~:text=His%20list%20of%2013%3A%20Temperance.
Garrett, A. "PRACTICING the GOOD LIFE with BEN FRANKLIN - VIRTUE #6 - INDUSTRY." AG Thrive Psychological Consultation, Inc, 19 June 2019, ag-thrive.com/practicing-the-good-life-with-ben-franklin-virtue-6-industry/#:~:text=Franklin%20in%20his%20nature%20was.
McKay, B, and K McKay. "Lessons in Manliness: Benjamin Franklin's Pursuit of the Virtuous Life." The Art of Manliness, 25 Feb. 2008, www.artofmanliness.com/character/manly-lessons/lessons-in-manliness-benjamin-franklins-pursuit-of-the-virtuous-life/.
University, Santa Clara. "Ethics and Virtue." Www.scu.edu, 1988, www.scu.edu/ethics/ethics-resources/ethical-decision-making/ethics-and-virtue/#:~:text=%22Virtues%22%20are%20attitudes%2C%20dispositions.
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