Self-Interest and Altruism in Franklin's Autobiography

Introduction: Franklin's Autobiography and Its Central Tension

Benjamin Franklin's autobiography is widely considered one of the most important early examples of American literature. His recollections offer significant insights into the historical and social context of their writing, and Franklin himself worked to imbue his autobiography with a distinct authorial voice and a number of important themes. Paramount among these is the theme of self-improvement; at every stage of his narration, Franklin attempts to demonstrate his own process of self-improvement so that it might serve "as a model for countless generations to admire."

However, when considering Franklin's reported attempts at self-improvement in the context of his political, professional, and personal ideology, it is difficult to determine whether his instructions for self-improvement were born out of a genuine desire to help others or were simply an attempt at self-promotion. By investigating Franklin's stated reasons for writing his autobiography alongside the overall trajectory of his life, it becomes clear that his focus on self-improvement emerged from a complex combination of societal concern and self-interest — a tension that motivated every major decision in his life.

Franklin's autobiography is not solely the product of a genuinely benevolent man desirous of helping others; it is a self-serving text that nevertheless contains important contributions to society. While Franklin was clearly operating from a position of self-interest, part of that self-interest included the betterment of society. Franklin recognized that his own success had come not solely from personal motivation, but from the combination of selfish and selfless acts that characterized the development and founding of the United States itself.

Franklin's Stated Motivations for Writing

The evidence of this dual motivation appears in the autobiography's very first paragraph, in which Franklin explains his reasons for writing the portion addressed to his son William. Aside from satisfying what he imagines to be his son's curiosity about his earlier exploits, Franklin states that his motivation for writing his memoirs stems from:

Having emerged from poverty and obscurity in which I was born and bred, to a state of affluence and some degree of reputation in the world, and having gone so far through life with a considerable degree of felicity, the conducing means I made use of, which with the blessing of God so well succeeded, my posterity may like to know, as they may find some of them suitable to their own situations, and therefore fit to be imitated.

Franklin recognizes that his own life represents something of a special case. Although he reached his ultimately well-regarded position through concerted effort, the kind of upward social mobility he experienced was not necessarily the norm in pre- and post-Revolution America. He also recognizes, however, that although he was particularly fortunate, his life story embodied the promise of America first glimpsed by the colonists aboard the Mayflower — a place where individuals might succeed regardless of prior experience or social status.

Thus, almost immediately Franklin reveals that his motivation for writing is simultaneously altruistic and selfish. He at once acknowledges the promise offered by America — made possible by the sacrifices of those who came before — while also providing what one scholar describes as "a celebrity endorsement… the efficacy [of which] derives from his personal authority."

The Protestant Work Ethic and Franklin's Religious Heritage

The mention of God in Franklin's opening paragraph is particularly important, because it links the trajectory of his life to the Protestant work ethic so valued by the original colonists. The passengers of the Mayflower fled England due to religious persecution, and a central component of their faith was a strong work ethic that viewed labor as both a personal and public duty — one that brought personal and public gain in equal measure. In the same way, Franklin implies that it is his duty to relate the means by which he achieved his privileged position, because he views his success not as the direct result of his own skill or character alone, but as a blessing granted in return for hard work.

Understanding this context illuminates why it is so difficult to argue one way or the other regarding the altruism of Franklin's motivations: even if Franklin is entirely self-interested, his self-interest takes the form of social concern and altruistic labor.

Conclusion: Self-Interest as Public Service

Benjamin Franklin's esteemed position in American history makes it tempting to regard his autobiography with either deferential honor or caustic criticism, because upon cursory examination it would appear that Franklin is motivated by either a selfless desire to improve society or a selfish desire to improve his own social and economic standing. The reality is far more complex. Although Franklin was motivated by self-interest, that self-interest took the form of public contribution and work in the service of others — a disposition shaped by his particular religious heritage.

By examining Franklin's stated motivations for writing his autobiography as well as the overall trajectory of his life, one can see how he embodied the Protestant work ethic that views individual success as the result of altruistic labor, and used his autobiography to provide a kind of written endorsement of that ethic. By attributing his success to the combination of hard work, self-improvement, and God's blessing, Franklin simultaneously enriched his own social and economic standing while contributing important historical and social insights to the public at large.

Bibliography

Franklin, Benjamin. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. New York: Forgotten Books, 1966.

Hamelman, Steven L. "Autobiography and Archive: Franklin, Jefferson, and the Revised Self." The Midwest Quarterly 43, no. 2 (2002): 125–42.

Baker, Jennifer Jordan. "Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography and the Credibility of Personality." Early American Literature 35, no. 3 (2000): 274–93.