Lecture 15—Benjamin Franklin and the Puritan Enlightenment

I. The Protestant Work Ethic

A. Max Weber, The Protestant Work Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism (1934)

B. The Morality of Capital

C. The Dignity of Work

D. Yankee Ingenuity

E. Great Men

II. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

A. A Boston Apprentice

B. A Printer

C. A Librarian

D. A Freemason

III. Economic Transformations

A. Scientist

B. Man of Letters

C. The Royal Society

D. The American Philosophical Society

E. Electricity

F. Founder of Institutions

IV. Poor Richard’s Almanac

A. Practical Information and Advice

B.  “Richard Saunders”

C. The Maxims

D. The Virtues of Industry and Saving

V.  “To Those Who Would Remove to America”

A. Pamphlets

B. Good Advice?

C. The Happiness of the Bourgeoisie

D. Resentment

VI.  “Concerning the Savages”

A. Cultural Anthropology?

B. Practical Education

C. Savage and Civilized Behavior

VII. Autobiography, Part I

A. “Dear Son”: A Practical Autobiography

B. Family History

C. Learning How to Write