Exam 5: What Is Character

Consider Aristotle's list of "the virtues." Do you agree with his conceptualization? Would you add anything to this list? For example, he does not specifically discuss integrity, which many people have always believed is an additional, absolutely critical element of good character. To have integrity is to live one's life in agreement with one's philosophy. To be hypocritical is to lack integrity. Or what about kindness? Isn't kindness toward others another critical element of good character? Construct an essay that discusses what you might add to this ancient list. (Instructors: Have your class share and discuss their conceptualizations of this Aristotelian concept of "the virtues" and of what other ideas your students might wish to add to it.)

According to Aristotle

Police officers often think that they are constantly under scrutiny and being watched. But this is a myth. Discuss why police officers are taught to believe this myth-why it might be a good thing that many believe it and why it might be a bad thing. How does this discussion plug into our analysis of the importance of individual police officer character?

When we ask if people have good character, we are asking if they possess the moral strength to do the right thing.

Formation of our character is:

The Declaration of Independence states that we have the right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." This idea of "happiness" is analogous to that of "the good," which we have been discussing here. We each define it for ourselves. What do you define as "the good" in your life? What are your long-terms goals? What would you like your life to look like in the future?

Circumstances in life

Which of the following is not a character trait?

Humans adapt

Justice is all of the following except

The dominating, central fact about the intelligence of human life is that it is so open to possibility.

Aristotle defined virtue as the

In Aristotle's terms, who are your exemplars? Who in the contemporary world are your role models? Discuss where and how we get our heroes today.

The nature of one's original community builds in a

Character traits can include a sense of humor, intelligence, energy level, shyness, or optimism.

Aristotle's school of thought is called

In Aristotle's view

Procedural justice encompasses

A rather critical differentiation is made between "equality of treatment" and "justice." Create your own examples of how justice might not be served by equal treatment. How might injustice be created by treating people in exactly equal ways?

Justice is