Hcs 235

Checkpoint: Moral Character Viewpoints

Sytonya L. Evans

PHI/105

August 17, 2011

Steve Ripley

In defining the connection between habit and moral character my group’s views were very similar. The question was “What is the connection between habit and moral character?” What is a habit? A habit is an action or pattern of behavior that is repeat so often that it often that it becomes typical of somebody, although he or she may be unaware of it. Moral character is an evaluation of a particular individual’s durable moral qualities.

In my group discussion we discuss whether we think that a bad habit is indicative of bad moral character or are habits, by definition, more objective in their scope. We agreed that habits can be good or bad. A person’s moral character can be viewed as negative or positive to others. Moral characteristics help to shape a person. Many of the classmates agreed that a person can force themselves into a good habit. Many classmates agreed that moral character is what an individual believes in morally such as manners and being polite. Bad habits do not make a person who they are, moral character does. Bad choices lead to bad moral character. The decision is up to the individual to make. Habits can be fixed if a person really wants to change.

There was one viewpoint that I did not agree with. One of the classmates’ viewpoints was that bad habits makes a person have a bad moral character. I do not believe this is true. Many people do not know if their habits are bad, they are just so use to doing them. People can change there is no doubt about that. Good habits can contribute to good moral character because working positively results in a positive outcome.