Expansive Temperance with Benjamin Franklin
Explore Franklin’s “Bold and Arduous project of arriving at Moral Perfection”
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In his autobiography at the age of 79, Benjamin Franklin attributed the happiness of his long life to his “evenness of temper,” rather than to his public accomplishments. Jeffrey Rosen speaks with Franklin scholar Stacy Schiff about why he put temperance first on his list of virtues. Then, Ken Burns shares what he takes away from Ben Franklin’s incomplete quest for moral perfection.
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Watch and Reflect
Inside Benjamin Franklin’s Philosophy of Virtue, Religion, and Power | Pursuit Podcast
Credits
Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide To Happiness is produced by PRX Productions for the National Constitution Center. It is made possible with support from the John Templeton Foundation.
Episode 2, Expansive Temperance with Benjamin Franklin is hosted by Jeffrey Rosen, featuring Stacy Schiff and Ken Burns with voice acting by Charlie Warren.
© 2025 National Constitution Center. All Rights Reserved.
From PRX Productions: Genevieve Sponsler, Courtney Fleurantin, David Newtown, Sandra Lopez-Monsalve, and Jocelyn Gonzalez
From the National Constitution Center: Annie Stone, Griffin Richie, and Bill Pollock
"The Golden Mean: Songs for the Pursuit of Happiness" by Jeffrey Rosen. Arrangements by Greg Strohman. Featuring James Martin, Jennifer Blyth, and Greg Strohman.
© ℗ 2025 Jeffrey Rosen. All Rights Reserved.
