FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Why do we use the traits we do?
The traits have been selected according to a unique approach. Each trait acts like a part of the body. That is, each trait functions like a part of the body. Responsiveness acts like the nerves which respond. Sensitivity acts like the senses which sense.
What qualifies as an objective reason for choosing a trait?
Many traits are chosen in various programs for schools because they are subjectively preferred. One person might think or feel that gratitude is critical trait to teach. Another might think that respect is important. And then they might come up with a short list of traits to teach. Meanwhile, a child will go to a camp or a sports club and learn about other traits, where they're told these are the critical or essential traits to learn.
What is the value of the approach we take?
There is no universal set of traits and values; that is, there is no set of traits and values that is universally appreciated as being valuable. That's where the analogy to the body comes in. What if there are truly parts to a harmonizing overall character, or a harmonized relationship, or even a harmonized organization or society?
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Harmonize to a significantly greater degree -
Have a universal vocabularly for harmonizing -
Have a way to diagnose misalignments. -
Recognize objective concepts necessary for a "content of one's character" -
Promote good character and characters, or individuals, and demote those that act poorly.
What made us suggest that you could compare behavioral traits like being thoughtful and being loving to behaviors or functions of the brain and heart, respectively?
Years of study in psychology and world religion for Cathy and law and economics for Chris, led to the realization that there was a functional common denominator between a body part and a behavior. What a body part does, a behavioral part also does. At first it was the recognition that rights in the societal sphere acts like the nerves or synapse. Then it was a broader realization that several concepts act like body parts. In the societal sphere, or organizational sphere, each of several "institutions", like rights and laws and technology act like parts of the body.
Were you looking for this?
No, not in a way some might think. We didn't say anything like, "Hey, wouldn't it be neat if the body were a model for us to use to design 'whole' character, or 'whole' ordered, society." For Chris it was a little different than for Cathy. For Chris it was more like, "It seems as if 'right-setting' in the legal and economic realm, when it was being done well, was nerve-like in its behavior. That led to an exploration to see whether there were other concepts that acted like other body parts. For Cathy, it was a little different. She read some of what Chris wrote and taking that in conjunction with her other readings and learning, it appeared to her that there were some realignments needed - that led to some new concepts which fit with the body. It also led to a broadening of the understanding to include related "inner" concepts, or attitudes, as well as to adding a set of character traits - both the attitude and character traits complemented the behavioral traits.