Character Development Isn't Easy

HOW DO CHARACTER AND MORALS HELP US DO THE RIGHT THING?

To do the right action, takes two things:

1. We have to have the morals, to KNOW what is right, and
2. We have to have the character to DO what is right.

Often, we know what is right, but one of the virtues of our character may not be developed, and be in deficit (such as courage) and so we don't do the right thing.

To have true "moral courage," one must have the appropriate morals plus the virtue of "courage."

We develop our character by practicing doing the right thing until it becomes a habit. It can also be very beneficial to put someone in an imagined difficult situation (dilemma) and ask them to explain what they would do. These are called "thought experiments," scenarios, or case studies. This process of using scenarios can exercise ones character, so when one comes across a similar situation, one already has thought about what one's action should be.

By discussing our specific virtues, we can improve our understanding of our own character and actually work on strengthening those virtues that may cause us to do the wrong thing.

By being held to a higher moral standard, we learn what is right and what is wrong, and can correct our behavior and the underlying character on a continuous basis.

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