6 - Self-Examination

Summary

To procure the often-conflicting goods in Franklin's four-part definition of happiness, rigorous self-examination is necessary. In the 1729 “Busy-Body” essays, Franklin first outlines the contours of his project of self-examination,and the theme frequently reemerges throughout the 1730s. Selfexamination may lead to the life of reason, which is itself a habit, or second nature evaluating these goods, achieved in the virtue of wisdom. This is Franklin's greatest and most difficult teaching because it requires educating human pride, which he conceives as simultaneously the foundation of and the greatest impediment to happiness. Franklin resolves this contradiction in his own teaching of the philosophical temper, which is a balance of mind achieved in the virtue of humility.

“A Letter from Father Abraham to His Beloved Son”

While Franklin's thoughts on self-examination were complete by 1735, the 1758 “Letter from Father Abraham” is his best essay on the depth of the human soul—the culmination of his thoughts on self-reflection—and in it he provides advice on how to obtain self-knowledge. The “Letter” demonstrates two things. First, that Franklin's view of the human soul is complex; it is a multiplicity of selves, existing in tension. Self-examination illuminates this tension. Second, because of the danger of selfdeception, self-examination must be conducted both in private and in public. Further, one can properly examine himself only after seeking out the right kinds of friends.

Isaac writes to his father for advice on an important question: How should he live his life? Abraham replies that such a question can only be answered by self-inquiry, which is essential for evaluating errors and discovering their source: “Men do not generally err in their Conduct so much through Ignorance of their Duty, as through Inattention to their own Faults, or through strong Passions and bad Habits; and, therefore, till that Inattention is cured, or those Passions reduced under the Government of Reason, Advice is rather resented as a Reproach, than gratefully acknowledged and followed.” Proper attention, self-examination, will prevent resentment, and enable Isaac to reduce (not extinguish) his passions and eliminate bad habits. In the Autobiography, Franklin reconsiders his own conduct upon his return from London, writing, “As I knew, or thought I knew, what was right and wrong, I did not see why I might not always do the one and avoid the other.”