Moral Character

The English word "character" is derived from the Greek charaktêr, which was originally used of a mark impressed upon a coin. Later and more generally, "character" came to mean a distinctive mark by which one thing was distinguished from others, and then primarily to mean the assemblage of qualities that distinguish one individual from another. In modern usage, this emphasis on distinctiveness or individuality tends to merge "character" with "personality." We might say, for example, when thinking of a person's idiosyncratic mannerisms, social gestures, or habits of dress, that "he has personality" or that "he's quite a character."

The philosophical use of the word "character" has a different linguistic history. At the beginning of Book II of the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle tells us that there are two different kinds of human excellences, excellences of thought and excellences of character. His phrase forexcellences of character -- êthikai aretai -- we usually translate as "moral virtue(s)" or "moral excellence(s)." The Greek êthikos (ethical) is the adjective cognate with êthos (character). When we speak of a moral virtue or an excellence of character, the emphasis is not on mere distinctiveness or individuality, but on the combination of qualities that make an individual the sort of ethically admirable person he is.

Moral character or character is an evaluation of a person's moral and mental qualities. Such an evaluation is subjective — one person may evaluate someone's character on the basis of their virtue, another may consider their fortitude, courage, loyalty, honesty or piety.

Developing true character happens when we focus on character qualities such as: truthfulness, diligence, obedience, loyalty and courage. Each quality overlaps the other. For example, you cannot be truthful and dishonest at the same time. Some character qualities, such as punctuality, can be developed through practice. To practice will require one to have discipline, which is also a desirable character quality.

What is true character? Character is the cumulative effect of the most desirable character qualities found in a person. Heroes exhibit traits such as self sacrifice and bravery. Heroes are men and women of exemplary character.

Some people consider character to be a mental choice. To improve or build someone's character (by whatever yard-stick you use) you must address their intellect. Examples of this can be found in religious preaching, sermons, lectures, philosophy, debate, morality tales, fables, and various works of literature, treatises and tracts. Character can be taught through education; but the best teacher is the teacher's character.

Character is our Moral maturity and commitment to doing the right thing regardless of the personal cost. Character involves the will to respond to stimuli according to values and principles rather than to appetites, urges, whims, or impulses. We are not animals. Remember, leadership is character in action, and character development and leadership development are one. Leadership is doing the right thing. Character is doing the right thing.

Other people believe that there is a link between moral character and one's physical body; improvement of the character may be sought through privation, pain or other hardships. Examples of this are often found in religious life (hermits, Spartan conditions in monasteries and nunneries, flagellation and other self-mortification), and also in corporal punishment, the pain of childbirth, and restrictive diets and fasting.