We are capable of recognizing that certain things are supposed to be such- and- such, although individuals may not conform to the pattern. We develop notions of what a sapling is supposed to become, or what constitutes health and well- being for a human. Our ideas of goodness and badness, in the end, strive to reflect this elementary "normativity": something is wrong with the tree that will not produce leaves, something is wrong with the person who is unable to walk. Generally, we find such notions useful in perceiving and correcting problems.
In the same way, we get an idea of what persons should be, both minimally and ideally, both as individuals and in relation to others. Just as our notion of "health" helps us to identify problems and solve them, or to know what to aim at in seeking to exceed ordinary expectations (as do athletes), so our notion of "character" enables us to judge personal deficiencies, and to recognize exceptional qualities.
Similarly, we have an idea of how persons of character are supposed to behave, and of what we aim at as a society. Just as our notion of health has improved over the centuries, as well as how to best secure it, so we have developed more accurate ideas about character, behavior, and the good society.
(Third section) |
