What is Character?

The word "character" is coined from a Greek word that means "to mark" as in an engraving. This background to the word "Character" implies that an individual's character is an indelible mark of consistency and predictability. Character therefor refers to the consistent and predictable behavioural disposition or tendencies of an individual. Character consists of habits which order the individual's actions in a relatively fixed way. It points to a principle deeply rooted in personality which integrates behaviour, altitudes and values. From a more advanced academic perspective, character is defined as a person's general approach to the dilemmas and responsibilities of social life, responsiveness to the world that is supported by emotional reactions to the distress of others, the acquisition of personal pro-social skills, knowledge of social corrections, and construction of personal Values.