Strength 25th

I propose the addition of Piety to the collection of character strengths. Piety reflects acceptance and recognition of social order through reverence, fidelity and devotion to parents, elders, teachers, mentors, homeland, God, or other higher order. It is unilateral love and kindness, more than respect, honor and duty.

I nominate Get-it-out-the-Door as the 25th Strength. People who possess this strength get stuff done. They can be thought of as the great implementers of ideas. While it could be said that this strength is subsumed under Persistence, I believe it is deserving of its own place among the other twenty-four strengths. Wherever people have …

We all think, but may not think well. Critical thinking, however, is a reflective process that is clear, precise and purposeful. “I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think.” Socrates While critical thinking is often considered an allied asset of the VIA strength Open-mindedness, Socratic logic shows that open-minded thinkers are not …

Perhaps the 25th strength for each country should be the local or culturally-bound strength which has facilitated the culture’s success. Local strengths are not irrelevant just because they are not universal. One size doesn’t fit all – even with the VIA.