The idea of good character

The latest issue of Prospect magazine features a thought-provoking article by Richard Reeves on the old-fashioned concept of “good character” and its importance for a successful society.

Reeves says good character is made up of three parts: “a sense of personal agency or self-direction; an acceptance of personal responsibility; and effective regulation of one’s own emotions, in particular the ability to resist temptation or at least defer gratification.”

Reeves discusses whether good characters are harder to come by these days and if so why? The author also identifies the family and good parenting  as one of the most important sources of good characters.