What really counts

You remember Sean quite well. He was the salutatorian of your dental school class. Although many classmates did not match or were accepted to specialty programs immediately after graduation, promptly invited his first-choice program. an intelligent fellow, almost charismatic in demeanor with apparent warmth that seemed as if it could charm a snake. But reputation for cheating on exams legendary among those This behavior just 1 example predisposition toward dishonesty and deception. For this, despite charisma, most came dislike Sean. considered you be potential threats class rank. Yet faculty members who unaware impropriety admire fraternize him. rose up lecture circuit quickly through endorsement by prominent vendor—an offer made him soon completing residency. The company sponsored wife worldwide travel exotic countries promote sponsor's new bracket system. And immediate success practice vastly attributed ability father-in-law transfer thriving nothing. prepaid vast sum educational loans, built summer home at shore, but never able develop genuine friendships any acquaintances. What defines perception our character: intelligence, financial success, personal warmth, individual's sense morality? Are virtues such sincerity, courage, humility, kindness, compassion, self-control attributes which are evident others have predominant roles how perceive us? In survey multiple traits 12 different social professional identified, quality moral character found 3 times more important than establishing another person's overall opinion character. survey's profile samples included surgeon, judge, parent, employer, spouse, partner. importance values determining increase proportionately, level prominence each these roles. study, subjects blinded research objective asked read 235 obituaries from New York Times. They determine characteristics often cited describing deceased. Descriptions involving qualities morality occurred 2.5 frequently other characteristic listed obituaries.1Goodwin G.P. Moral person perception.Curr Dir Psychol Sci. 2015; 24: 38-44Crossref Scopus (110) Google Scholar Evidently, perceived observer outward indication inherent good bad within person, led judgment identity level. has reached security pursuit career, respect is flawed deficient morality. We judged behavior. makes us we are—our identity—is defined virtues, values, scruples, morals. control. Those whom either lack exhibit abundance them. Often some successful people world would trust treat ourselves families because judge them insufficient nearly every patient see applies their own individual litmus test worthy us. do Martin Luther Abraham Lincoln true physical sense. akin lies bond feel principles ideals they taught stood for.2Hahn G. history philosophy Edward H. Angle Society Orthodontia.1955Google George W. Hahn (1955) E.H. School, Class 1921. Some things change.