BOOK REVIEW: THE QUEST FOR CHARACTER BY MASSIMO PIGLIUCCI
How do you develop character?
Hello Bookfriend.
I finished reading “The Quest For Character” by Massimo Pigliucci yesterday. The book begins with a conversation between Socrates and his student, Alcibiades. Much of it draws from the teachings of the stoics, which begins with Socrates. It is partly biographical and partly commentary. The central question Massimo seeks to explore is how do develop good character. In the first place, can people become good? Especially politicians, how do we get leaders to become good leaders with character to lead for the general welfare, not their selfish interest?
Massimo analyses the lives of several politicians and philosophers from ancient Greece to arrive at an answer. He looks through the lives of Marcus Aurelius, Cato, Plato, Alcibiades, Alexander the Great, and of course, Socrates. He tries to understand the relationship between how a philosopher taught a politician and how the politician turned out to be. Alcibiades, who was taught by Socrates, turned out to be a huge disappointment. Alexander The Great, who was taught by Plato, turned out to be a disappointment. Marcus Aurelius, the true philosopher-king, had an impressive record.
Speaking of philosophers, one important point Massimo tries to make is that philosophy, for the ancient Greeks, was the pursuit of practical wisdom. The goal of true philosophy is not to accumulate knowledge and facts; it is to find the wisdom to live better. Philosophers were practical men who sought to make life easier and better. Just compare that with those we call philosophers today.
Massimo's thoughts and commentary are instructive. Many times, I had to pause to think of the enormous implication of what he was saying. Character is important, especially today when it doesn't seem to be important. Developing character is important for anyone who seeks to live a good life.
So, how do we develop character?
Massimo has three recommendations that I agree with;
The use of moral role models
Role models inspire us. Role models caution us. Role models show us how to live. Whatever you want to become, find a role model that exemplifies that and be like him. Seneca wrote, “Choose therefore a Cato; or, if Cato seems too severe a model, choose some Laelius, a gentler spirit. Choose a master whose life, conversation, and soul-expressing face have satisfied you; picture him always to yourself as your protector or your pattern. For we must indeed have someone according to whom we may regulate our characters; you can never straighten that which is crooked unless you use a ruler.”
Conscious selection of situations
Avoid circumstances that will lead to acting in ways that are contrary to what you want to become. Say you want to stop drinking alcohol; avoid beer parlor. Consciously select situations that will give you the opportunity to show good character.
Getting the word out with ourselves.
Massimo writes “It really means getting to know who we are and what makes us tick. This is a question of mindfulness in the sense of paying attention to what we do and how we respond to situations, again with the goal of improving our character step by step….One study shows that people help in only 27 percent of the cases when the bystander effect is at play. However, if they are educated beforehand about the effect and pay attention to the situations they are in, the rate of helpful responses jumps to 67 percent.” Know yourself. Know your weaknesses and strengths. Then work on them.
Massimo’s ideas have consequences for our personal lives as well as nations. The happiest people are often the ones with good character. For nations, having leaders with good character can be the difference between peace and chaos. We must pay attention to this.