Improving Character

Bol

A philosophical guide to developing moral virtues with practical strategies Possessing moral virtues benefits individuals and their communities, but most people lack them. So, there is a gap between the character we have and the moral virtues that are worth having. Improving Character: Moral Virtues, Strategies, and Questions aims to close the gap by offering readers clear portraits of essential moral virtues alongside concrete methods for cultivating them; it blends philosophical insight with actionable guidance. Through 45 newly commissioned essays written in accessible, jargon-free prose, this volume removes barriers that often make philosophy difficult for newcomers. It begins with 3 essays that describe moral virtue and motivate the project. Next, it examines 16 moral virtues including courage, patience, temperance, honesty, humility, gratitude, generosity, and justice. It then presents 16 practical strategies for character development, from cultivating friendships and finding role models to disrupting social norms, journaling, and physical exercise. The book also asks 10 challenging philosophical questions, such as how we measure character improvement and which traits qualify as moral virtues. Written for undergraduate students in ethics and professional programs such as business, engineering, and pharmacy, this volume also serves readers outside academic settings who seek to develop their character. Anyone pursuing personal growth, leadership development, or ethical formation in athletics or professional life will find valuable guidance here. Develop moral virtues through forty-five accessible and practical essays Character development requires both understanding what moral virtues look like and how to cultivate them. Improving Character: Moral Virtues, Strategies, and Questions assembles forty-five newly commissioned essays that are concise, engaging, and largely jargon-free to make virtues and character cultivation immediately accessible without sacrificing philosophical depth or rigor. The volume begins with chapters on the need for character improvement and why moral virtue is good for us. Next it covers sixteen moral virtues including courage, patience, temperance, honesty, humility, gratitude, generosity, and justice. It then presents sixteen practical strategies for character development such as friendship, role models, nudging, good manners, disrupting social norms, running, and journaling. Ten essays address challenging questions about the whole enterprise. It closes with Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol as a cautionary tale. Readers will also find: Portraits of virtues drawn from Western philosophy alongside ancient Chinese and Buddhist traditions for broader cross-cultural perspectives on character Practical strategies that move beyond theory to actionable guidance on developing specific virtues through everyday activities and relationships Critical questions examining how we measure character improvement and determine which traits genuinely are moral virtues Essays designed specifically for undergraduate students and general readers seeking philosophical substance without intimidating technical vocabulary An unusual blend of theoretical foundations and practical application rarely found together in philosophy texts Written for first-year undergraduates and general readers interested in personal development, Improving Character serves students taking courses in virtue ethics, practical ethics, ethical leadership, and professional ethics programs. Its trade-style orientation makes it equally valuable for character development in athletics, high schools, and personal goal setting.

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Pages: 448, Edition: 1, Paperback, Wiley