ETHICS

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How is moral character developed?

The
circular relation of acts that build character
and acts that emanate from character.

 Moral character is developed the same way as


any other behavioral trait, or skill, or habit, or
even immoral attribute is developed: by
repetition over time.
If you tell enough lies, you become a liar. If you hit
enough home runs, you become a slugger. If you
smoke enough cigarettes, you become a smoker. If
you practice the piano enough, you become a
pianist.
Likewise, if you do good often enough, you become a
doer of good (or a “do-gooder” to someone who hates
people doing good). If you follow moral laws, you
become moral.
Of course, this is all meaningless unless there are
moral laws that are universally binding and backed
by a legitimate moral authority. But that’s its own
topic.
Assuming there is, then, you develop moral
character by consistently and correctly following a
universal moral law—if one exists. It’s not the
purpose of this answer to determine that for the
Reader. This answer presumes to be correct and
true.

 The Circular Relation of Acts and Character In


the process of moral development, there is the
relation between acts that build character and
moral character itself. Not all acts help to build
moral character, but those acts which emanate
from characters certainly matter in moral
development.

Virtuous traits of character ought to be stable


and enduring and are not mere products of
fortune, but of learning, constant practice, and
cultivation. But we have to add that virtuous
traits of character are called excellences of
human being because they are the best exercise
of reason, which is the activity characteristic of
human beings. In this sense, the Greek
moralists believe, virtuous acts complete or
perfect human life.

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