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How important is character in forming someone's life? Does it really have an impact on the quality of life you lead? What is it? Is it the same as morals?
To me it's important and does have a major impact in your quality of your life, I see "character" as an attitude and though morals and character in some cases can be interchangable, they are not the same thing. I guess I would say quality of life is something more than simply following the rules. Any thoughts?? [Edited 5/25/09 23:42pm] | |
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Well, whether one does and or not, it actually the question at hand. You see it as relevant, but many including Camus' Meursault, feel differently. Their wiring precludes them from your analyses. Their morality is different then ours based on their perceptions. I believe nature vs nature factors in heavily..... Well look whom I found dipping their toe in the murky waters! :eyeroll: At least offer me a damn cup of coffee! | |
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My paper aside, I completly agree with you. Well look whom I found dipping their toe in the murky waters! :eyeroll: At least offer me a damn cup of coffee! | |
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^^^ ummm...okay, I don't get it maybe you could expand it.
I was listening to something yesterday and the words just struck me that I don't see those words the same. Morals are based on society, but character is innate. Simply various people from different societies can have the same character but different morals. Ehh, it just struck me odd. Character is the foundation of a person. [Edited 5/25/09 23:58pm] | |
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A persons 'ethics' or 'morals' can often shape their obligatory behaviors and rhetoric, but I think it's their character that really shows through.
Someone who is constantly apologizing to you for some failing on their part or imploring you not to think that they didn't care due to the afore mentioned failing, is revealing their character despite this obligatory rhetoric. If you don't want someone to think you're an ass, don't behave like an ass. Taking a moral stance that what you did was wrong isn't the same thing as taking steps to not be wrong to begin with. And asking someone not to think you're an ass only magnifies the fact that you are, indeed, a complete ass. Character, naturally shapes a person's life in every aspect of it. A person's 'morals' or 'ethics' serves merely as a framework within that. Many people believe in the same God Mother Teresa believed in. I venture to say, despite, Mother Teresa was a diamond in the rough. on to only edit [Edited 5/26/09 0:12am] | |
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having to have cold baths as a kid is character forming I was told | |
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ZombieKitten said: having to have cold baths as a kid is character forming I was told
You was lied to sister!  Well look whom I found dipping their toe in the murky waters! :eyeroll: At least offer me a damn cup of coffee! | |
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morningsong said: ^^^ ummm...okay, I don't get it maybe you could expand it.
I was listening to something yesterday and the words just struck me that I don't see those words the same. Morals are based on society, but character is innate. Simply various people from different societies can have the same character but different morals. Ehh, it just struck me odd. Character is the foundation of a person. [Edited 5/25/09 23:58pm] Sorry, I am writing papers for both psychology and Literature. Ironically along the same line. Ill note you later. Well look whom I found dipping their toe in the murky waters! :eyeroll: At least offer me a damn cup of coffee! | |
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what *IS* character? | |
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Hard to pinpoint. It is malleable. Can be built or torn down at anytime in a person's life. A part of a personality but more than that.
dictionary definition - the complex of mental and ethical traits marking and often individualizing a person, group, or nation WOODROW WILSON (1856-1924)
"If you will think about what you ought to do for other people, your character will take care of itself. Character is a by-product, and any man who devotes himself to its cultivation in his own case will become a selfish prig." a person's character is revealed more by their actions than their words
A Person's Character Is Their Destiny
Sow A Thought, Reap An Action. Sow An Action, Reap A Habit. Sow A Set Of Habits, Reap A Character. Sow A Character, Reap A Destiny. (William James)  just some others thoughts on the matter. | |
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character seems like such a nebulous term in this context.
maybe character = ethics + morals + confidence? | |
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Those would definitely have a part in it. I can say character definitely requires action. Is it really an important factor in dictating the course of one's life? | |
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Muse2NoPharaoh said: ZombieKitten said: having to have cold baths as a kid is character forming I was told
You was lied to sister! also riding my bike to school in the rain carrying heavy rocks for no reason digging trenches…  | |
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I think.. "character" is shown when one is put into the position of acting upon his/her beliefs. When push comes to shove beliefs are just words until one is challenged to act.
Also, I think character comes out when a person is facing a difficulty. I mean.. sometimes how one responds in crisis speaks to his/her character. It's easy to be a good winner, but I think character comes into play when DOESN'T win.. I don't think one has to be happy about "losing," but at the same time it's important to handle losing with the same dignity as one handles winning. | |
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I think of character as a living, breathing, aspect that adjusts to the times....it is solid, but not rigid....not something that changes on the whim of the wind, but also not something that can't adjust to the life changing around it...
...or something like that..... ...I like to use the word "integrity" instead of character....maybe it's just a military thing, but if you have integrity (defined as doing the right thing, even when no one is looking), your character will NEVER come into question! He was like a cock who thought the sun had risen to hear him crow.
(George Eliot) the video for the above... 
http://www.youtube.com/wa...re=related | |
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reneGade20 said: I think of character as a living, breathing, aspect that adjusts to the times....it is solid, but not rigid....not something that changes on the whim of the wind, but also not something that can't adjust to the life changing around it...
...or something like that..... ...I like to use the word "integrity" instead of character....maybe it's just a military thing, but if you have integrity (defined as doing the right thing, even when no one is looking), your character will NEVER come into question! That was interesting, so I did a little searching. copy and paste. How to Build Character Through Integrity
To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man (William Shakespeare, 1599-1601). The wonderful thing about character and integrity, which are intimately related, is that they're one of the few things in life that no one will ever be able to forcefully take away from you. Your choices are your own. Even if someone can take your life, they can't force you to make a choice that you believe is wrong Understand what Character and Integrity are. The definitions of these words are often stretched or misrepresented. Learn what they truly mean: * In this use, Character is the sum of qualities that distinguish a person or group, moral or ethical strength, and the description of a person's attributes, traits and abilities. Character is who you are. (I like that) It defines you and guides your actions, hopefully in a positive way. * Integrity is steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code, being unimpaired, sound, whole and undivided; completeness. * Integrity can be summed up simply as doing the right thing for the right reason even when no one is watching. "We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances - to choose one's own way." | |
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