Three Models of Practical Wisdom

Author: Christian B. Miller (2023 – Filosofiska Notiser) This paper examines three models of practical wisdom in contemporary analytic philosophy: the Standard Model, the Socratic Model, and the Eliminativist Model. The Eliminativist Model posits that practical wisdom does not exist as a singular virtue but is instead a set of distinct capacities. The paper explores […]

The Heights and Depths of our Characters

Author: Christian B. Miller  (Virtual Insight) A mother and her family, caught in a rip current off Panama City Beach, were rescued by strangers who formed a human chain. Such acts of empathy contrast with instances like Walter Vance’s ignored collapse in a crowded store. Research shows empathy can significantly drive helpful behaviors, while social […]

Why Every Teen Needs an Inner Compass

Author: Dr. Arthur Schwartz  (May 14, 2024 – Character.org) Character education has evolved from teaching and modeling core values to recognizing that teens must actively seek and internalize these values. Teens are developmentally ready to form moral identities and make decisions based on who they aspire to be. However, they face challenges like recognizing moral […]

Israeli Defense Force on Moral Character Development and Assessment

Dr. Shani Al-Mogg and Ms. Ilet Bekovitz from the IDF discussed military leadership and assessment processes. Al-Mogg highlighted the IDF’s leadership framework, focusing on personality traits, resilience, and professional abilities, emphasizing mission-centric leadership and the responsibility of commanders toward their subordinates. Leadership development in the IDF includes knowledge acquisition, personal awareness, skill development, self-efficacy, role […]

US Air Force & Coast Guard: Moral Character, Development, Assessment

At the McCain Conference, Dr. Tom Torkelson highlighted the Center for Character and Leadership Development’s mission to create leaders of character through values-driven education and practical experiences. Mr. Adam Silver discussed various assessment methods, including surveys and outdoor experiential education, emphasizing the importance of targeted assessments and triangulated data. Ms. Sarah Wylie addressed low survey […]

UK Navy and Marines on Moral Character Development and Assessment

Tony Raya and Stuart McCrimmon emphasized the importance of ethics, culture, and leadership in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. Raya discussed building “moral armor” through education, training, and cultural assessments, stressing leadership’s role in upholding ethical standards and addressing moral challenges. McCrimmon introduced Project Jaywick to transform leadership training, focusing on resilience, student-led learning, […]

US Army on Moral Character Development and Assessment

This panel discussion addresses character development and assessment at West Point, featuring Dr. Yasmine Calstein, Dr. Peter Mindel, and Dr. Elise Dykes. They explore the integration of character education into West Point’s curriculum, emphasizing motivation, self-awareness, and interpersonal skills. They discuss programs like honor education, intrapersonal development, and leader challenge. The panel also highlights the […]

Philosophical Perspectives on Moral Character II

Dr. James Giordano is a distinguished professor in Neurology and Biochemistry at Georgetown University and a fellow at the Stockdale Center. Dr. Josh Stuchlik, a moral philosopher, teaches at the University of St. Thomas and was a fellow at the Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study. Lastly, Dr. Patrick Smith, a Stockdale Center fellow and […]

Psychological and Future Perspectives on Moral Character

Dr. Dan Cervone, a psychology professor at the University of Illinois, specializes in social-cognitive analysis of personality. Dr. Richard Lerner, a developmental psychology expert from Tufts University, boasts over 800 scholarly publications. Lieutenant General Chris Miller, retired from the Air Force, now at the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Center for Character and Leadership, reflects on […]

Philosophical Perspectives on Moral Character I

The panel titled “Philosophical Perspectives” featured discussions on virtue and character. Christian Miller summarized his book, emphasizing the concept of moral virtue and empirical research indicating that most people lack it. Edward Brooks discussed character education at Oxford, highlighting its importance and practical application. William Cochran offered insights from Plato and Aristotle, focusing on moral […]