Ethics and Character Analysis

Origin of "Character"

• Originates from the Greek word ‘charaktēr’, initially meaning a mark on a coin.
• Evolved to signify a quality that distinguishes individuals.
• Often overlaps with "personality," focusing on distinctive traits and mannerisms.

Ethical View of Character

• Aristotle in Nicomachean Ethics identifies two types of human excellence: thought and character.
• "Excellence of character" or ‘ethikai aretai’ relates closely to moral virtue and excellence.
• "Virtue" embodies ethically admirable qualities and is more than distinctiveness; it reflects moral character.

Circular Relationship of Acts and Character

• Moral development is influenced by a circular relationship between individual acts and character.
• Actions do not always build moral character; however, those stemming from a moral character are significant for growth.
• A person's moral character influences actions, whereas actions can develop virtue or vice.
• Human flourishing is achieved through the habitual practice of moral and intellectual virtues, contributing to self-realization and happiness.
• Virtuous traits should be stable, deriving from learning and practice, not luck.
• Good moral character is essential for determining appropriate actions in various situations; a virtuous person uses judgment for moral praise or blame.

Moral Character as Disposition

• Moral character traits serve as behavioral dispositions within human beings.
• Virtues attract positive reactive attitudes such as praise, while vices attract negative reactions like blame.
• Good moral character fosters a disposition towards virtuous actions; bad character leads to a propensity for vices.

Kohlberg's Moral Development Stages

• Lawrence Kohlberg proposed six stages of moral reasoning, spanning from infancy to adulthood, building on Piaget’s theory.
• Stages are categorized into three levels: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional, each reflecting increasing complexity in moral reasoning.
• Moral understanding progresses in a fixed order, closely linked to cognitive development.

First Stage of Kohlberg's Development

• Preconventional morality spans until around age 8; children defer to external authority and rules.
• Level 1: Obedience and Punishment Orientation – individuals act to avoid punishment.
• Level 2: Individualism and Exchange – children start acknowledging multiple perspectives rather than a single authority viewpoint.