What Did Benjamin Franklin Believe In?

Benjamin Franklin was a printer, scientist, diplomat, inventor, and Founding Father. But what did he actually believe? His worldview shaped both his remarkable achievements and his famous 13 virtues system for self-improvement.

Franklin's beliefs were practical, not abstract. He cared less about theological correctness than about whether an idea helped people live better. Here's what he believed—and why it still matters.

Key Takeaways

• Franklin was a Deist—believing in God as creator but skeptical of doctrine
• He judged beliefs by their practical effects, not theological truth
• His moral philosophy was virtue ethics—building character through practice
• He believed in republican self-government and civic duty
• His worldview combined scientific inquiry with moral purpose

Franklin's Religious Beliefs

Franklin was raised Presbyterian but became a Deist in his teens. Deism held that God created the universe and established natural laws, but doesn't intervene miraculously.

"I believe in one God, Creator of the Universe. That He governs it by His Providence. That He ought to be worshipped. That the most acceptable Service we render to Him is doing good to His other Children."

On Jesus, Franklin was respectfully agnostic:

"I have...some doubts as to his Divinity; though it is a question I do not dogmatize upon, having never studied it."

Pragmatic Religion

Franklin judged religion by its effects, not its doctrines. He supported churches financially, attended services, and valued religious community—while remaining theologically unorthodox.

He wrote: "I think vital religion has always suffered when orthodoxy is more regarded than virtue."

Franklin's Moral Philosophy

Franklin's moral philosophy was practical virtue ethics. Rather than following rules or calculating consequences, he focused on building good character through systematic practice.

His 13 virtues embodied this approach:

"I concluded at length that the mere speculative conviction that it was our interest to be completely virtuous, was not sufficient to prevent our slipping."

In other words: knowing virtue isn't enough. You must practice it systematically until it becomes habit.

Virtue as Skill

Franklin treated virtue as a skill to develop, not a trait you either have or lack. This was radical: it meant anyone could become virtuous through dedicated practice.

Franklin's Political Beliefs

Franklin's political evolution was dramatic: from loyal British subject to revolutionary independence advocate.

Republican Self-Government

Franklin believed citizens could govern themselves without monarchy. He helped draft both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, balancing idealism with practical compromise.

Religious Freedom

Franklin advocated for religious tolerance. He contributed to building a meeting hall in Philadelphia open to preachers of all denominations—even Muslim imams, he said.

Public Education

Franklin founded the University of Pennsylvania and advocated for practical education. He believed an informed citizenry was essential to democracy.

Slavery (Evolution)

Franklin owned slaves early in life. By his death, he was president of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society and petitioned Congress to end slavery. His moral journey on this issue, though late, showed his capacity for growth.

Franklin's Practical Philosophy

Above all, Franklin was a pragmatist. He valued ideas that worked over ideas that were merely true in abstract.

"Well done is better than well said."

Key Practical Principles

• Action over talk: Deeds matter more than words
• Usefulness over elegance: Does it help people?
• Improvement over perfection: Progress, not flawlessness
• Community over isolation: Civic contribution is essential

Franklin's Scientific Worldview

Franklin was a serious scientist—his work on electricity earned him international fame and the Royal Society's Copley Medal.

His scientific approach was characteristic: observation, experimentation, practical application. He invented bifocals, the lightning rod, and the Franklin stove—all useful tools, not mere curiosities.

Reason and Evidence

Franklin trusted reason and evidence over tradition and authority. This extended to religion, politics, and morality—he questioned received wisdom and tested ideas against experience.

What Franklin's Beliefs Mean Today

Franklin's beliefs remain relevant:

• Judge ideas by effects: Does this belief make life better?
• Practice virtue systematically: Character is built, not given
• Balance idealism and pragmatism: Work with reality as it is
• Contribute to community: Individual flourishing requires civic engagement
• Stay open to learning: Even foundational beliefs can evolve

To practice Franklin's philosophy, start with his 13 virtues. Use our Ben Franklin Virtues app to track your weekly practice and build the habits that formed the foundation of his remarkable life.