Growing Character Strengths at Pacific

In offices and classrooms at Pacific, there are posters describing character strengths for a flourishing life. Reflecting on character strengths dates back to Ancient Greece, when Aristotle wrote about them in Nicomachean Ethics. Character strengths are those personal qualities that allow us to achieve excellence:

• Wisdom – for example open-mindedness, creativity;
• Courage – for example authenticity, perseverance;
• Humanity – for example kindness, social intelligence;
• Justice – for example teamwork, fairness;
• Temperance – for example forgiveness, self-regulation; and
• Transcendence – for example gratitude, spirituality.

Interest in character strengths has resurfaced as part of the Positive Psychology movement. Character strengths are dynamic; they are developed over the course of a lifetime through our experiences. Alex Linley has written much in this area and he concludes that if people discover their character strengths and find opportunities to use them, they will feel more engaged in life and are less likely to feel frustrated and disaffected. In Personal Development and Pastoral Care Group classes, we hold conversations with students that focus on their strengths. Older students at the College have completed the online VIA survey to help them identify their strengths. The character strengths have also been added to the threads that are reflected on in Chapel and PCG devotions each week.

Mr Brendan Delaney, Director of Students