Aspects of Building Ones Character - Essay Example

Human beings tend to learn from observation during childhood; from situations during adolescence; and from experiences during adulthood and later part of their lives.  All these aspects contribute significantly towards building one’s character, which shapes one’s virtues and moralities.

  It may be argued that the virtues of a person cannot be stable throughout his/her life.  The way situations, observation, and experience lead to the acquisition of certain virtues; sometimes, virtues so acquired can change and make the person selfish, greedy, and insecure.  This perspective is derived from Hutcheson’s non-rationalist view or ideology that envisages virtue as the ultimate end for people seen to be virtuous; however, this virtue or the ultimate end itself is something that a virtuous individual seeks for his/her own sake (Gill, 158).  In other words, the virtuous deed may be seen as a means to satisfy the virtuous person’s desire to pursue his/her own ultimate end such as self-satisfaction, others goodwill, appreciation, etc.  Such human nature is also a result of one’s experiences with life, the need for attention, love, affection, etc.

It is very difficult to confirm that virtuous people will not have any vices; however, the intentions of virtuous people emerge during specific situations.  Virtuous people think and act in a manner that ultimately results in good.  Virtues can be inculcated in people’s character during early childhood and adolescence.  This can be achieved by building a character that assimilates goodness, kindness, honesty, and integrity.  A few practices to build virtues and character include rewarding and appreciating children for good work, good behavior, honesty and truth, and leading by example.  These teachings should ideally begin at home, with my parents, siblings, other family members, and friends.  Similar virtues taught at school will reinforce their character and show a direction towards the right living.  As children grow, they will encounter many situations and experiences that can eventually deter their early learning; however, if these teachings are continuously reinforced by elders through their behavior, chances for these grown-ups to recoup their virtues will certainly be higher during later stages of life.

In conclusion, a virtuous person can be made by inculcating the right character through teaching, emulating, and exemplifying values such as honesty, integrity, and kindness throughout the growth phase of a child.  When individuals imbibe these qualities, their actions and intentions will be virtuous, which will ultimately result in humanely desired outcomes.  Distractions and deviations from virtuous thinking can also be overcome through the right habits, moral thoughts, and the right learning, all of which can be taught by parents, family members, friends, and teachers.