Character and Health: the old moral dichotomies

good/bad

• character
  • goodness means following rules
  • goodness is the product of will power, conquering temptation and sin
• health
  • more than correct behavior, as defined by one's group
  • goodness results from
    • empathy and
    • an indentification of oneself with the rest of humanity

smart/stupid

• character
  • there is only one kind of intelligence: rational/analytical ability
• health
  • there are many kinds of intelligence

strong/weak

• character
  • strength is a product of self-discipline
• health
  • happy people are strong
  • strength does not come from will power; it comes from taking care of yourself
  • weakness is not a failing; it is a symptom of unhappiness
  • weakness is fear

industrious/lazy

• character
• health
  • see work

sane/crazy

• character
  • either you're crazy or you're sane
  • sane people have no craziness in them
• health
  • distinguishes organic problems (schizophrenia, for example) from the manifestations of unhappiness

honorable/dishonorable

• character
  • imposed from without
• health
  • arises from within
  • a byproduct of happiness

kind/cruel

• character
  • we must make ourselves be kind
• health
  • kindness is a manifestation of respect and empathy