MODULE 2

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this lesson, the learners would be able to:

➢ Define the Six Pillars of Good Character, Dimensions of Honesty, considerations to maintain Reliability
➢ Appreciate the Character traits

THE SIX (6) PILLARS OF GOOD CHARACTER

1. TRUSTWORTHINESS – This is the pillar of good character that is considered the most complicated of the six core
ethical values and concerns a variety of qualities like honesty, integrity, reliability, and loyalty.

When a person is trusted he is given greater leeway and no need to be monitored just to assure that they meet their
obligations. When they are trusted, we develop in them a higher esteem which may be satisfying to them. They
must live up to the expectations of others and refrain from even small lies or self-serving behavior that can quickly
destroy relationships.

a. Honesty – a person of good character must be a person of honesty in both communications and conduct.
There is no more fundamental ethical value than honesty. Honesty is associated with honor. Thus, a person
of honesty is a person of honor and is admired and trusted because of his being straightforward.

Dimensions of Honesty
1. Truthfulness – presenting the facts to the best of our knowledge. Take note that, “intent” is the
“crucial” distinction between truthfulness and truth itself.
2. Sincerity – one must observe genuineness, being without trickery or duplicity for it precludes all acts,
including half-truths, out-of-context statements, and even silence, that are intended to create beliefs or
leave impressions that are untrue or misleading.
3. Candor – The quality of being open and honest in expression; Frankness.
In relationships involving legitimate expectations of trust, honesty may also require candor,
forthrightness, and frankness, imposing the obligation to volunteer information that another person
needs to know.
4. Integrity – The quality of being honest and having a strong moral principle or moral uprightness. Persons
of integrity are those who act accordingly to their beliefs, not according to expediency. He is also
consistent. There is no difference in the way he makes decisions from situation to situation; his
principles don’t vary at work or at home, in public, or alone.
The person of integrity takes time for self-reflection, so that the events, crises, and seeming necessities
of the day do not determine the course of his moral life. He stays in control. He may be courteous, even
charming, but he is never duplicitous or unfaithful.
5. Reliability (Promise-keeping) – the quality of being trustworthy, or of performing consistently well.
Reliable persons are those who keep their promises for he believes in doing so creates a legitimate basis
for another person to rely on him, and that he undertakes special moral duties. They accept the
responsibility of making all reasonable efforts to fulfill their commitments.

CONSIDERATIONS TO MAINTAIN RELIABILITY

1. Avoid Bad-Faith Excuses – interpret your promises fairly and honestly. Don’t try to rationalize non-
compliance.
2. Avoid Unwise Commitments – Before making a promise, consider carefully whether you are willing and
likely to keep it. Think about unknown or future events that could make it difficult, undesirable, or
impossible. Sometimes, all we can promise is to do our best.
3. Avoid Unclear Commitments – be sure that when you make a promise, the other person understands
what you are committing to do.
b. Loyalty – to be trusted, one must be loyal to his husband or wife, friends, employer, employee, organization,
citizen, and country. our relationships with other people create an expectation of allegiance, fidelity, and
devotion.
2. RESPECT – the Golden Rule in Human Relation is “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”,
perfectly illustrates “Respect”. When respect is observed we would prevent and pre-empt violence, humiliation,
manipulation, and exploitation. It reflects notions such as civility, courtesy, decency, dignity, autonomy,
tolerance, and acceptance. Everyone ha the right to be treated with dignity.
 QUALITIES OF A RESPECTFUL PERSON

➢ Ability to listen – when somebody is talking, he is attentively listening.

➢ Treats Others with Consideration – Respectful person doesn’t resort to intimidation, coercion, or
violence except in extraordinary and limited situations to defend others, teach discipline, maintain
order, or achieve social justice.
➢ Capable of Accepting Individual differences and beliefs – Respectful individuals without prejudice
openly accepts principles and ideologies of others. They judge others not on their negative character,
abilities, and conduct.
3. RESPONSIBILITY – Being responsible means to take charge and be accountable of the consequences of what we
think and do. Our capacity to reason and freedom to choose make us morally autonomous and, therefore,
answerable for whether we honor or degrade the ethical principles that give life meaning and purpose.

QUALITIES OF A RESPONSIBLE PERSON

➢ Sense of Accountability – An accountable person leads by example and doesn’t shift blame of claim credit for
the work of others. He considers the likely consequences of his behaviors and associations. He recognizes the
common complicity in the triumph of evil when nothing is done to stop it.
➢ Pursuit in Excellence – responsible person shows diligence on what he is doing, careful in his actions, prepared
and informed. They finish what they started, overcoming rather than surrendering to obstacles. They avoid
excuses such as, “That’s just the way I am”, or “it’s not my Job”, or “It was legal”, and always look for ways to do
their work better.
➢ Self-Restraint – Responsible person exercise self-control, restraining passions and appetites (such as lust,
hatred, gluttony, greed, and fear) for the sake of longer-term vision and better judgment. They delay
gratification if necessary and never feel it’s necessary to “win at any cost”. They realize they are as they choose
to be, every day.

4. FAIRNESS – This pillar of good character involves issues of equality, impartiality, proportionality, openness, and
due process. It is unfair to handle similar matters inconsistently, and to impose punishment that is not
commensurate with the offense. The basic concept seems simple, even intuitive, yet applying it in daily life can
be surprisingly difficult. Fairness is another tricky concept, probably more subject to legitimate debate and
interpretation than any other ethical value.
Unfair person does not scrupulously employ open and impartial processes for gathering and evaluating
information necessary to make decisions. In contrast, fair people do not wait for the truth to come to them; they
seek out relevant information and conflicting perspectives before making important judgments. They make
decisions objectively without favoritism or prejudice. They don’t take advantage of the weakness or ignorance of
others.

5. CARING – Caring is the heart of ethics and ethical decision-making. It is scarcely possible to be truly ethical and
yet unconcerned with the welfare of others. That is because ethics is ultimately about good relations with other
people.
It is easier to love “humanity” than to love people. People who consider themselves ethical yet lack a
caring attitude toward individuals tend to treat others as instruments of their will. They rarely feel an obligation
to be honest, loyal, fair, or respectful except insofar as it is prudent for them to do so, a disposition which itself
hints a duplicity and a lack of integrity. A person who really cares feels an emotional response to both the pain
and pleasure of others.
The highest form of caring is the honest expression of benevolence, or altruism. This is not to be
confused with strategic charity. Gifts to charities to advance personal interests are a fraud. That is, they aren’t
gifts at all. They’re investments or tax write-offs.

6. CITIZENSHIP – This pillar of good character includes civic virtues and duties that prescribe how we ought to
behave as part of a community. Other good citizen knows the laws and obeys them. He volunteers and stays
informed on the issues of the day, the better to execute his duties and privileges as a member of self-governing
democratic society.
 CHARACTER TRAITS

1. Alertness – Being aware of what is taking place around.

2. Attentiveness – Showing the worth of a person.
3. Availability – Making own schedule and priorities secondary to wishes of those being served.
4. Benevolence – giving to others basic needs without the motivation for acquiring personal rewards.
5. Boldness – confidence that what is say or do is true, right, and just.
6. Cautiousness – Knowing how important right timing is in accomplishing right actions.
7. Compassion – Investing whatever is necessary to heal the hurts of others.
8. Contentment – Realizing that true happiness does not depend on material conditions.
9. Creativity – approaching a need, a task, or an idea from a new perspective.
10. Decisiveness – The ability to recognize key factors and finalize difficult decisions.
11. Deference – Limiting freedom so not to offend the tastes of others.
12. Dependability – Fulfilling what is consented to do, even if it means sacrifice.
13. Determination – purposing to accomplish right goals at the right time, regardless of the opposition.
14. Diligence – Investing time and energy to complete each task assigned.
15. Discernment – Understanding the deeper reasons why things happen.
16. Discretion – Recognizing and avoiding words, actions, and attitudes that could bring undesirable consequences.
17. Endurance – The inward strength to withstand stress and do the best.
18. Enthusiasm – Expressing joy in doing and accomplishing each task.
19. Faith – Confidence that actions rooted in good character will yield the best outcome, even when it’s not
personally observed.
20. Flexibility – Willingness to change plans or ideas according to the discretion of the authorities.
21. Forgiveness – Clearing the record of those who have wronged and not holding the grudge.
22. Generosity – Carefully managing resources to be capable of freely giving to those in need.
23. Gentleness – Showing consideration and personal concern for others.
24. Gratefulness – letting others know by one’s word and actions how they have benefited one’s life.
25. Honor – Respecting those in leadership because of the higher authorities they represent.
26. Hospitality – Cheerfully sharing food, shelter, or conversation to benefit others.
27. Humility – Acknowledging that achievement results from the investment of others in one’s life.
28. Initiative – Recognizing and doing what needs to be done before being asked to do it.
29. Joyfulness – Maintaining a good attitude, even when faced with unpleasant conditions.
30. Justice – Taking personal responsibility to uphold what is pure, right, and true.
31. Loyalty – Using difficult times demonstrate commitment to those being served.
32. Meekness – Yielding personal rights and expectations with a desire to serve.
33. Obedience – Quickly and cheerfully carrying out the direction of the superior.
34. Orderliness – Arranging self and surroundings to achieve greater efficiency.
35. Patience – Accepting a difficult situation without giving a deadline to remove it.
36. Persuasiveness – Guiding vital truths around another’s mental roadblocks.
37. Punctuality – Showing esteem for others by doing the right thing at the right time.
38. Resourcefulness – Finding practical uses for that which others would overlook or discard.
39. Responsibility – Knowing and doing what is expected.
40. Security – Structuring one’s life around that which cannot be destroyed or taken away.
41. Self-control – Rejecting wrong desires and doing what is right.
42. Sensitivity – Perceiving the true attitudes and emotions of others.
43. Sincerity – eagerness to do what is right with transparent motives.
44. Thoroughness – Knowing what factors will diminish the effectiveness of one’s work or words if neglected.
45. Thriftiness – Allowing oneself and others to spend only what is necessary.
46. Tolerance – Realizing that everyone is at varying levels of character development.
47. Truthfulness – Earning future trust by accurately reporting past facts.
48. Virtue – The moral excellence evident in one’s life as consistently doing what is right.
49. Wisdom – Seeing and responding to life situations from a perspective that transcends current circumstances.