Character Education
Character Formation Through Intellectual, Civic, Moral, and Performance Virtues, Guided by Practical Wisdom
What is Character Education?
Character Education is the intentional, proactive cultivation of virtues that enable human flourishing and ethical living. Rooted in virtue ethics tradition extending from Aristotle through contemporary scholarship, character education recognizes that good character—comprising intellectual, civic, moral, and performance virtues—can be caught, taught, and sought through deliberate practice and critical reflection.
This framework, prominently developed by institutions like the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues at the University of Birmingham and adopted by character education programs worldwide, offers a comprehensive approach to human development. Rather than focusing narrowly on rule-following or skills acquisition, character education aims to develop practical wisdom (phronesis)—the integrative meta-virtue that enables us to perceive what situations call for, to choose intelligently between competing goods, and to act well when virtues collide.
💬 The Power of One Question at a Time
Consider how a single question can develop character: "How do you approach difficult ethical decisions?" or "When have you shown courage despite fear?"
These questions don't just assess character—they form it. Through reflection on virtues, we strengthen our capacity to embody them.
FlourishTalk facilitates character formation through meaningful conversation—one question at a time. Whether you're a teacher guiding students, a parent supporting children, a leader developing teams, or an individual on a journey of self-improvement, these questions cultivate the virtues that make flourishing possible.
The Four Types of Virtues
Character education recognizes that virtues fall into four interconnected categories, each essential for a well-rounded, flourishing life:
- Intellectual Virtues: Habits of mind that enable critical thinking, pursuit of truth, discernment, and wise judgment
- Civic Virtues: Habits of service that support citizenship, community contribution, and working toward the common good
- Moral Virtues: Habits of heart that guide ethical behavior, relationships, and choices aligned with human dignity
- Performance Strengths: Habits of action that enable us to put virtues into practice despite difficulty—the "how" that complements the "what"
These four virtue types work synergistically, integrated by practical wisdom—the capacity to discern what the situation calls for, to balance competing values, and to choose the right action at the right time for the right reasons.
The 19 Virtues and Character Qualities
FlourishTalk explores 19 specific virtues and character qualities organized across the four virtue categories, plus practical wisdom as the integrative capacity:
Critical Thinking
Analyzing arguments, evaluating evidence, identifying biases, thinking systematically, and pursuing truth through reason
Open-Mindedness
Considering diverse perspectives, revising beliefs with new evidence, overcoming confirmation bias, intellectual humility
Curiosity
Asking questions, seeking understanding, exploring with wonder, pursuing knowledge for its own sake, intellectual eagerness
Academic Honesty
Intellectual integrity, proper attribution, honest research, resisting plagiarism, truthfulness in scholarly work
Service
Contributing to community wellbeing, volunteering, helping others, working for the common good beyond self-interest
Civility
Respectful discourse, courteous engagement, constructive disagreement, treating others with dignity despite differences
Citizenship
Civic responsibility, informed participation, democratic engagement, understanding rights and responsibilities
Social Responsibility
Environmental stewardship, ethical consumption, concern for future generations, addressing systemic challenges
Justice
Fairness, equality, treating others equitably, recognizing rights, challenging injustice, advocating for the marginalized
Courage
Acting despite fear, moral bravery, standing up for principles, taking risks for what's right, facing adversity
Compassion
Empathy in action, caring for others' suffering, kindness, mercy, responding to need with genuine concern
Honesty
Truthfulness, integrity, authenticity, transparency, trustworthiness, alignment of words and actions
Humility
Accurate self-assessment, acknowledging limitations, learning from others, recognizing dependence on community
Resilience
Bouncing back from setbacks, adapting to adversity, maintaining hope during difficulty, learning from failure
Determination
Perseverance, sustained effort, grit, seeing commitments through, maintaining focus on goals despite obstacles
Teamwork
Collaboration, contributing to collective goals, supporting others' success, effective cooperation, shared achievement
Confidence
Self-efficacy, believing in capabilities, taking initiative, healthy self-esteem enabling virtuous action
Integrating Values
Balancing competing goods, navigating value tensions, maintaining coherence across life domains, wholehearted living
Ethical Decision-Making
Moral reasoning, discernment in complexity, choosing well when virtues collide, situational judgment, good sense
Who Benefits from Character Education Conversations?
Everyone committed to ethical living and human flourishing:
- Students of all ages developing character alongside academic learning
- Educators and teachers facilitating character formation in schools
- Parents and families cultivating virtues in children and households
- School leaders creating whole-school character education cultures
- University students reflecting on intellectual, civic, and moral development
- Workplace professionals bringing ethical excellence to organizations
- Community leaders fostering civic engagement and service
- Coaches and mentors guiding others' character development
- Faith communities integrating virtue formation with spiritual growth
- Anyone seeking to live well through cultivation of good character
Why Character Education Matters: The Evidence
Character education isn't just philosophically appealing—it's empirically supported as essential for individual and societal flourishing:
🔬 Research-Validated Impact
Extensive research on character education demonstrates:
- Character virtues predict mental and physical wellbeing, happiness, and life satisfaction
- Intellectual virtues enhance academic achievement, critical thinking, and lifelong learning
- Moral virtues strengthen relationships, ethical behavior, and prosocial action
- Civic virtues increase community engagement, democratic participation, and social cohesion
- Performance strengths enable resilience, goal achievement, and sustained effort
- Practical wisdom improves decision-making in complex, ambiguous situations
- Character education programs show positive effects on school climate, behavior, and academic outcomes
- The Jubilee Centre Framework has been adopted by tens of thousands of schools globally
- Virtue development correlates with reduced behavioral problems and improved social-emotional functioning
The framework draws on: Aristotelian virtue ethics, contemporary virtue epistemology, positive psychology research, and decades of educational implementation showing that character can be intentionally developed through practice and reflection.
- Character is learnable: Virtues are acquired through practice, habituation, and critical reflection—not fixed traits
- Integration matters: The four virtue types work together, guided by practical wisdom
- Context shapes character: School cultures, communities, and relationships profoundly influence character development
- Role models inspire: Observing virtuous exemplars accelerates character formation
- Reflection deepens virtue: Thinking critically about one's character strengthens it
- Flourishing requires character: Eudaimonia (human flourishing) is impossible without virtue
How FlourishTalk Cultivates Character Through Conversation
Character isn't formed through lectures—it's developed through practice, reflection, and meaningful dialogue. FlourishTalk provides questions that facilitate character formation:
Develop Intellectual Virtues: Reflect on critical thinking: "How do you evaluate the credibility of information you encounter?" or "What biases do you recognize in your own thinking?" Build habits of mind through questions.
Cultivate Civic Virtues: Discuss service and citizenship: "How do you contribute to the common good?" or "When have you engaged in your community to address a problem?" Strengthen habits of service.
Strengthen Moral Virtues: Explore ethical behavior: "When have you shown courage despite fear?" or "How do you practice compassion in difficult situations?" Form habits of heart.
Build Performance Strengths: Enhance resilience and determination: "How do you bounce back from setbacks?" or "What gives you the confidence to take action?" Develop habits that enable virtue.
Grow Practical Wisdom: Navigate complexity: "How do you approach decisions when virtues seem to conflict?" or "What framework guides your ethical choices?" Integrate virtues through reflection.
Classroom Character Education: Teachers use questions to facilitate student reflection on virtues, creating cultures where character is caught, taught, and sought.
Explore All 19 Character Virtues and Qualities
Ready to Cultivate Good Character?
Develop virtue and practical wisdom through meaningful conversation—one question at a time