Assignment Five – On Chapter Twelve “Brute Neighbors”

What is character? A newborn might be born with character, but also maybe not. So how does ones character grow, and how is it build. As human beings, we experience situations, that we have to react to, or that we have to endure. These situations can be either positive or negative on us. Character also changes with where we grow up, how we grow up, what and whom we are surrounded with, and last but not least, what we want to be like. All these aspects create memories in our minds that we are able to reflect. Furthermore, we are also able to reflect not only situations, but also us. We are self-conscious, and we can reflect on our behavior, thoughts and mental state. This gives us the opportunity to work on us, and therefore on our character . . . if that what I just wrote is what creates character.  

When we observe other people, we tend to judge, which I think lays in our nature. We judge and compare others with us, and others. We label certain individuals as good characters, and others as bad or weak characters. The decision of who is bad and good lays in our very own concept of what is good and bad, and that again is based on our own reflection of situations and moments, and therefore very subjective.
The question now is, if character traits that we admire in another person are a matter of instinct, or not. Thoreau writes, that the instinctual behavior of animals can be seen as bravery, intelligence and spiritual depth. So who is braver? Person A who is naturally fearless, or person B, who copes with his fears, and manages to overcome them. One can say that person A has the bigger or stronger character, as he is fearless. But, if he has not any fear at all, he is brave by nature, and did not have to accomplish the situation. Whereas person B had to face his fears, think of options and then overcome his fears, which is also considered to be brave. Who is now the bravest?
If one of them acted instinctively, it would have been person A. He did not have to think of fears or strategies. He was fearless and therefore able to react without much thinking. That might be how animals manage situations. But: also animals fear things, and also in the moment when they get scared, they use their instinct to escape from situations. I would say, that as soon as a mind needs to consider his or her options, or rethink situations, it is no longer a reaction based on instinct. The human instinct may lay in their stomach, as that is where people say you should decide from whether to do something or not.
It is unfair to condemn those who are not brave, intelligent or whatsoever by nature. But it is also unfair to do so with the ones who are not brave or intelligent by nature, and who have to cope and struggle with conditions. Both are characteristics of a big character, which we would label to be good or strong. The only we can do, and what I would personally do as well, would be to appreciate the ones who overcome their fears a tiny bit more, as that gives them more trust in themselves and acknowledges their achievements.