The Road to Character

According to Brooks, given major cultural changes over the past century, we have neglected our ability to develop good moral character - what he refers to as “eulogy values.”  These are qualities that are usually highlighted during funerals.  They are virtues that are difficult to quantify, such as kindness, dedication, courage, and integrity. They are typically qualities that focus on the “we” – friendships, family, and community – as opposed the “me.”  Instead of developing character, our society now almost exclusively emphasizes the cultivation of skills and abilities that primarily contribute one’s individual material well-being and career success.  Brooks argues that our achievement-oriented society with its emphasis on individual satisfaction has become so extreme and all-encompassing that it is difficult for many to devote time and energy to serious self-examination and the development eulogy values.

I really liked this book because the bulk of it consists of compelling biographical sketches of historical figures who struggled to develop moral character over the course of their lives. It is Brook’s hope that readers may gain some insight from The Road to Character and recommit themselves to developing virtues that really matter.