essay on becoming a good person

How to Be a Good Person Essay

What does it mean to be a good person? The essay below aims to answer this question. It focuses on the qualities of a good person.

Introduction

What does it mean to be a good person, qualities of good person, works cited.

The term “good” has relative meanings depending on the person who is defining it. Several qualities can be used to define what constitutes a good person. However, there are certain basic qualities that are used to define a good person. They include honesty, trust, generosity, compassion, empathy, humility, and forgiveness (Gelven 24).

These qualities are important because they promote peaceful coexistence among people because they prevent misunderstandings and conflicts. A good person is fair and just to all and does not judge people. He or she is nice to everyone regardless of religion, race, social and economic class, health status, or physical state (Gelven 25).

A good person treats other people with respect, care, and compassion. Respect shows that an individual values and views the other person as a worthy human being who deserves respect. Compassion is a quality that enables people to identify with other people’s suffering (Gelven 27). It motivates people to offer help in order to alleviate the suffering of others. A good person has compassion for others and finds ways to help people who are suffering. Showing compassion for the suffering makes them happy.

It promotes empathy, understanding, and support. In addition, good people are forgiving. They do not hold grudges and let go of anger that might lead them to hurt others. They think positively and focus their thoughts on things that improve their relationships (Needleman 33). They avoid thinking about past mistakes or wrongs done by others. Instead, they think of how they can forgive and move on.

A good person is honest and trustworthy. This implies that they avoid all situations that might hurt the other person, such as telling lies, revealing secrets, and gossiping (Needleman 34). As such, their character or personality cannot be doubted because they do not harbor hidden intentions.

They act in open ways that reveal their true characters and personalities. On the other hand, good people are kind and respectful. They offer help voluntarily and work hard to improve the well-being of other people. In addition, they treat all people equally despite their social, physical, or sexual orientations. Good people do not discriminate, hate, deny people their rights, steal, lie, or engage in corrupt practices (Tuan 53).

Good people behave courageously and view the world as a fair and beautiful place to live in (Needleman 40). They view the world as a beautiful place that offers equal opportunities to everyone. Good people believe that humans have the freedom to either make the world a better or worse place to live in. They act and behave in ways that improve and make the world a better place.

For example, they conserve the environment by keeping it clean for future generations. A popular belief holds that people who conserve the environment are not good but just environmental enthusiasts. However, that notion is incorrect and untrue. People conserve the environment because of their goodness. They think not only about themselves but also about future generations (Tuan 53). They are not self-centered and mean but generous and caring.

Good people are characterized by certain qualities that include trust, honesty, compassion, understanding, forgiveness, respect, courage, and goodwill. They do not steal, lie, discriminate, or deny people their rights. They think about others’ welfare and advocate for actions that make the world a better place. They promote justice and fairness because they view everyone as a deserving and worthy human being.

Gelven, Michael. The Risk of Being: What it Means to be Good and Bad . New York: Penn State Press, 1997. Print.

Needleman, Jacob. Why Can’t We be good? New York: Penguin Group US, 2007. Print.

Tuan, Yi-Fu. Human Goodness . New York: University of Wisconsin Press, 2008. Print.

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Bibliography

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How to Be a Better Person

Elizabeth Scott, PhD is an author, workshop leader, educator, and award-winning blogger on stress management, positive psychology, relationships, and emotional wellbeing.

Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and international bestselling author. Her books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk,  "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most viewed talks of all time.

We all want to be our best, but many people wonder if it's actually possible to become a better person once you're an adult. The answer is a resounding yes. There are always ways to improve yourself. This answer leads to more questions, however.

How can you improve yourself to be a better person? What is the easiest approach? And what are the most important aspects of self to work on? Taking into account your own well-being as well as the best interests of others, here are some of the most important ways to become a better person. 

Let Go of Anger

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We all experience anger in our lives. Uncontrolled anger, however, can create problems in our relationships and even with our health. All of this can lead to more stress and additional problems, complicating life and keeping us from being our best selves. That's why learning to manage and eventually let go of anger is so important to becoming a better person.

Letting go of anger isn't always easy. But the first step is learning more about recognizing anger and knowing what to do when you feel angry in your life.

Recognizing anger is often simple if you make an effort to notice when you feel upset and decide to manage this feeling rather than denying it or lashing out at others as a way of coping. Focus on noticing when you feel angry and why, and know that there is a difference between feeling angry and acting on that anger. Then, know your options.

You can change your beliefs about what is making you angry. This can work by learning more about the situation, or even reminding yourself there may be things you don't know yet.

Remind yourself that maybe that person who cut you off in traffic was distracted by something challenging in their own life. If a friend seems to be rude to you, inquire about how their day is going and find out if there's more that you don't know.

You can also focus on what your "anger triggers" are, and eliminate them as possible. For example, if you find yourself becoming frustrated and angry when you have to rush, work on making more space in your schedule (even if it means saying "no" a little more), and try to eliminate that trigger. If a certain person makes you angry, try to limit their role in your life if it doesn't work to talk things out with them first.

It's also important to learn to let go of grudges and residual anger from each day. Don't wake up holding a grudge from the night before if you can help it. Focus on forgiveness , even if it means you don't let someone who wronged you continue to have an important role in your life. When you stay in the present moment as much as possible, this becomes easier.

Practicing stress relievers like meditation can also help you to let go of anger. Focus on releasing the hold that the past may have on you. Put your attention to the current moment and it becomes easier to avoid rumination and stay in a good place.

Support Others

Helping others may seem like an obvious route to becoming a better person. We often think of "good people" as those who are willing to sacrifice for others. This, in the minds of many, is what makes a person "good." However, good deeds can also make us better people because of the connection between altruism and emotional well-being.

According to research, it just may be true that it's better to give than to receive. So while you may feel too stressed and busy to extend help to others when it's not absolutely necessary, expanding your ability to focus on the needs of others can really help you as well. It’s true:  Altruism  is its own reward and can actually help you relieve stress.

Studies show that altruism is good for your emotional well-being and can measurably enhance your peace of mind.  

For example, one study found that dialysis patients, transplant patients, and family members who became support volunteers for other patients experienced increased personal growth and emotional well-being.

Another study on patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) showed that those who offered other MS patients peer support actually experienced greater benefits than their supported peers, including more pronounced improvement of confidence, self-awareness , self-esteem , depression, and daily functioning. Those who offered support generally found that their lives were dramatically changed for the better.

In addition to making the world a better place, exercising your altruism can make you a happier, more compassionate person. Because there are so many ways to express altruism, this is a simple route to being a better person, one that is available to all of us every day. This is good news indeed.

Leverage Your Strengths

Losing track of time when you’re absorbed in fulfilling work or another engaging activity, or what psychologists refer to as " flow ," is a familiar state for most of us. Flow is what happens when you get deeply involved in a hobby, in learning a new skill or subject, or in engaging in activities that supply just the right mix of challenge and ease.   

When we feel too challenged, we feel stressed. When things are too easy, we may become bored—either way, finding the sweet spot between these two extremes keeps us engaged in a very good way.

You can experience flow by writing, dancing, creating, or absorbing new material that you can teach others.

What may bring you to that state of being may be challenging for others, and vice versa. Think about when you find yourself in this state most often, and try doing more of that.

The state of flow is a good indicator of whether an activity is right for you. When you're in a state of flow, you're leveraging your strengths, and this turns out to be great for your emotional health and happiness. It's also a very positive thing for the rest of the world because your strengths can usually be used to help others in some way. 

When you learn enough about yourself to know what your best strengths are and find out how to use them for the benefit of others, you're on your way to being a better person, and a happier one as well.

Use the "Stages of Change" Model

Ask yourself: If you had a magic wand, what would you like to see in your future? Ignoring the ideas of how you’ll get there, vividly imagine your ideal life, and what would be included in it.

Take a few minutes to list, on paper or on your computer, the changes and goals that would be included in this picture. Be specific about what you want. It’s okay if you want something that you seemingly have no control over, such as a mate who is perfect for you. Just write it down.

You may follow the lead of many businesses and have a one-year, five-year, and 10-year plan for your life. (It doesn’t have to be a set-in-stone  plan , but a list of wishes and goals.) Keeping in mind what you hope for in your future can help you feel less stuck in the stressful parts of your present life, and help you see more options for change as they present themselves.

There are several ways to focus on change, but the stages of change model can lead you to your best self perhaps more easily than many other paths. This model of change can be adapted to whatever mindset you have right now and can work for most people.

The Stages of Change Model

• Precontemplation : Ignoring the problem
• Contemplation : Aware of the problem
• Preparation : Getting ready to change
• Action : Taking direct action toward the goal
• Maintenance : Maintaining new behavior
• Relapse : Reaffirm your goal and commitment to change

One of the most important parts of this route to change is that you don't push yourself to make changes before you're ready, and you don't give up if you find yourself backsliding—it's a forgivable and even expected part of the process of change. Understanding this plan for making changes can help you to be a better person in whatever ways you choose.

Press Play for Advice on Creating Change

This episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast shares how to use the six stages of change to apply them to your own process of change. Click below to listen now.

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Take Care of Yourself

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You may not always have control over the circumstances you face. But you  can  control how well you take care of yourself, which can affect your stress levels and enable you to grow as a person when you face life's challenges.

Self-care is vital for building resilience when facing unavoidable stressors for several reasons. When you're tired, eating poorly, or generally run down, you will likely be more reactive to the stress you face in your life. You can even end up creating more problems for yourself by reacting poorly rather than responding from a place of calm inner strength.

Conversely, when you're taking good care of yourself (both your physical and mental health ), you can be more thoughtfully engaged with whatever comes, use the resources you have in your life, and grow from the challenges you face, rather than merely surviving them.

Taking proper care of your body, soul, and mind can keep you in optimum shape for handling stress. That gives you added resilience to manage those challenges in life that we all face, as well as those that may be unique to you.

Basics of Self-Care

In terms of self-care strategies , there are several that can help, but some of the most important aspects of self-care include the basics:

• Connection with others

Sleep is important for your emotional and physical well-being because too little or poor quality sleep can leave you feeling more stressed and less able to brainstorm solutions to problems you face. Lack of sleep can take a toll on your body as well, both in the short term and in the long run. Poor sleep can even affect your weight.

The same is true with poor nutrition. A poor diet can leave you feeling bloated and tired, and can add extra pounds over time. You need the right fuel to face life's challenges, but when stress hits, it's often the unhealthy food we crave.

Social Connections

Feeling connected to others can help you feel more resilient. Good friends can help you to process negative emotions, brainstorm solutions, and get your mind off your problems when necessary. It's sometimes challenging to find time for friends when you have a busy, stressful life, but our friends often make us better people both with their support and their inspiration.

Finally, it is important to take a little time for yourself. This can mean journaling and meditation, or it can come in the form of exercise or even watching re-runs at home. This is particularly important for introverts , but everyone needs some time to themselves, at least sometimes.

Learn to Be User-Friendly

Our relationships can create a haven from stress, and help us to become better people at the same time. They can also be a  significant source of stress when there is conflict that is resolved poorly or left to fester. The beauty of this is that as we do the work it takes to become a better friend, partner, and family member, it can also be a path to becoming a better person.

To improve your relationships and yourself, learn conflict resolution skills. These skills include being a good listener, understanding the other side when you are in conflict, and anger management techniques .

These things can help us be better versions of ourselves. They can also minimize the stress we experience in relationships, making these relationships stronger. Close relationships usually provide plenty of opportunities to practice these skills as you work on improving them, so you can perhaps even appreciate the opportunities when they arise and feel less upset.

Mental Health Foundation. Cool down: Anger and how to deal with it .

Post SG. Altruism, happiness, and health: It's good to be good . Int J Behav Med . 2005;12(2):66-77. doi:10.1207/s15327558ijbm1202_4

Cheron G. How to measure the psychological "flow"? A neuroscience perspective . Front Psychol . 2016;7:1823. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01823

Sadler-Gerhardt CJ, Stevenson DL. When it all hits the fan: Helping counselors build resilience and avoid burnout . American Counseling Association VISTAS 2012(1).

National Sleep Foundation. How much sleep do we really need?

By Elizabeth Scott, PhD Elizabeth Scott, PhD is an author, workshop leader, educator, and award-winning blogger on stress management, positive psychology, relationships, and emotional wellbeing.

15 Qualities That Are At The Core Of Every ‘Good’ Person

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What makes a person “good” in the grand scheme of things?

There are some traits considered to be good by just about everyone. There are also cultural variables as to what symbolizes and expresses goodness in a person. 

Ultimately, it’s up to the individual to determine what they feel are the qualities of a “good person.”

When we’re asked to explain why some of our heroes are (or were) sincerely good people, many of these traits will make the list.

1. Prudence

A good person is a prudent person. Prudence is the ability to determine whether or not a particular action is a good (or appropriate) idea at that specific point in time. It’s considered to be one of the four cardinal virtues, derived originally from Plato’s Republic .

Prudence also refers to a situation in which you have the strength to do something, but choose not to. Or, when you could do something that’s self-indulgent in the moment, but choose to err on the side of better judgment for later.

An example of this would be refraining from spending money on games and junk food because you need to save enough to cover your portion of the rent and bills. You may spend a bit on a small indulgence, but choose responsibility over temporary amusement or gratification.

2. Temperance

Although most people interpret temperance as being abstinence from something, what it actually means is moderation. 

Having temperance means finding the middle path, and balancing the self in the face of any situation. It encompasses self-discipline and self-awareness. After all, you have to know your own abilities as well as your own limits in order to find the moderate zone between them. 

For example, embodying a sense of diplomacy as a moderator means finding that magical middle ground between expressing what you need to say, with the needs and views of others around you.

In other people, temperance might mean accepting a small drink when toasting with others, but refraining from drinking to inebriation. Or thoroughly enjoying a slice of cake without overindulging.

When you are balanced and measured in your approaches to everything, you can experience and understand all without being overwhelmed by it.

Good people often show courage. Courage isn’t the absence of fear, but rather the ability to take action even though you feel afraid. It is knowing that there is a difficult, potentially dangerous task ahead of you, but doing it because you know it needs to be done.

This one goes along with several of the other qualities listed here. For example, it often takes courage to act with integrity.

Courage can take many forms, from trying a new, challenging exercise to standing up to an intimidating person, or facing something that scares you.

The first level of courage is doing something even though it terrifies you.

The last level is being a calm, inspirational force to others, while feeling the same fear that they’re experiencing. 

For example, a high-ranking officer in a WWI trench was a bastion of calm and confidence, while the troops around him were quaking with fear. A young Private asked him how he was so calm, and the officer replied that he had to be in order to keep morale up. Additionally, he knew that the soldiers on the other side were also afraid, and that was oddly reassuring to him.

4. Compassion

Being compassionate isn’t just about understanding someone else’s pain. It’s also the desire to help alleviate it. One can look at a person and see that they’re suffering (sympathy) and then walk on by. But when we want to do what we can to help, then that’s compassion in action.

Ultimately, the basic element of compassion is kindness. We want to give of our own abilities to help another being who may be suffering. We can have compassion for people, animals, trees, rivers… anything that seems to be in distress that we can help to lessen.

The greatest mastery of compassion is when the one you’re trying to help is hurting you, and yet you’re still offering them assistance in a loving, gentle way. An adult may rail against you, or the hurt animal may bite you, but you still try to help.

Compassion means that you understand another’s pain without compounding it, offering what the other needs, and giving of yourself, regardless of the outcome.

5. Generosity

Generosity is a quality often associated with a good person. When we have a surplus of something, it’s important to share with others who have less. Even if we don’t have a surplus, it’s important to share with others. 

We always have something that we can share or give to those around us. This doesn’t have to be monetary wealth or physical objects, either. People who don’t have a lot of money can still be immensely generous with their time, for example. They can volunteer with the elderly or doing charity work. Or they can teach their skills to others who would like to learn from them. 

Being generous means that you’re giving with the heart, without any schemes to receive anything in return, or control those you are being generous with. These are gifts freely given, not because you think you’ll benefit in turn.

Quite often, those who have the least are the most generous toward others, because they know what it’s like to have nothing. They have the biggest hearts, and tend to be the most willing to help others in need.

6. Patience

This is one of the qualities that many admire, but it is also one of the most difficult to put into practice. It’s possible that this is because few of use are actually patient by nature. 

We tend to want things on our terms, on our own time. As a result, we get frustrated and annoyed when things don’t play out the way we think they should.

This is why it’s important to remember that the world doesn’t revolve around our wants and our schedule. There are billions of other players on this chess board, all engaged in an intricate dance. As such, we need to acknowledge and respect that we are all cogs in the machine, and our time to turn will come when it’s meant to.

Furthermore, it’s important to be aware that a lack of patience can cause a great deal of harm. People can only do their best, and when we’re impatient with those who aren’t as capable as we are, we can make them feel truly horrible about themselves. Or worse, they may end up traumatized and damaged. 

This is why it’s important to be patient with the grandmother or the child when crossing the road in a hurry, because they can’t keep up with you. If you’re not, and you walk away quickly instead of helping, they may end up getting hurt. 

Patience means that you can remain calm and measured in your responses, even when irritated. To not throw a tantrum when forced to wait. And to not complain unduly when things are taking longer than expected.

7. Respect 

Respect is undoubtedly a characteristic of a good person. When we talk about respect, we’re encompassing various aspects thereof. This includes respect for other people, self-respect, respect for life, for nature, etc.

Tolerance, esteem, appreciation, and recognition are just a few aspects of respect that can come into play.

For example, we can respect nature by not throwing garbage around or polluting water supplies. We can respect housemates by acknowledging the fact that they live their lives differently than we do, so we don’t project our behavioral expectations onto them.

We can respect our bodies by eating well and getting plenty of exercise, and show self-respect by not engaging in activities that would make us feel shame later. 

We acknowledge boundaries – our own and other people’s – and don’t overstep them for the sake of self-indulgence. We acknowledge that every individual is perfect, sovereign, and sacred. As such, we don’t put others down or mistreat them. Instead, we pay attention when they speak, honor their words, heed their personal choices.

It doesn’t take much effort to help others feel seen and heard, but it makes a world of difference to them when we do so.

8. Tolerance

Tolerance means accepting that others may think, behave, or live differently than we are, without trying to change their ways to suit our own preferences.

In simplest terms: live and let live.

Seek to understand your contemporaries in other cultures, races, religions, and creeds, rather than attacking them for their differences from you.

This is the difference between people who talk about how tolerant they are, but want to lead the next witch hunt.

In the 1600s it was witches. In the 1800s it was Amerindians. In the 1930s it was Jews. It is what it is today, and in 200 years, there will be another target group for people’s ire. 

Don’t jump on that bandwagon. We’re all better than that.

9. Integrity

A good person will act with integrity. Integrity means doing the right thing, even when nobody is watching. It’s holding to your individual moral and ethical convictions despite other people’s opinions and influences. Especially when it’s difficult to do so.

For example, let’s say that you’re working on a construction site and you find a precious artifact. You’re only making minimum wage at this gig, and this is a centuries-old gold ring buried in the mud. Nobody saw it except you. If you sold it, you’d likely make a ton of money. But you also recognize that it has historical significance.

Your sense of integrity would have you report the ring to the local coroner or Finds liaison officer so they can investigate it. Sure, you might get a reward for it – likely less than you’d have made for pawning it – but you know it’s the right thing to do. You didn’t have to, but you did it anyway.

10. Commitment

This one goes along with integrity, but expands upon it differently. 

Commitment means that you’ve held to your word, even if it was difficult to do so. This might mean sticking with a job or project that you absolutely hate because you promised someone that you would do so. Or it could be remaining faithful to a partner, despite your own non-monogamous leanings, because you gave your word that you’d be loyal.

You’ll see something through, simply because you made a promise.

A person who keeps their commitments is someone who can be trusted and relied upon. When you’re known as someone who keeps their word, you’re incredibly valued and respected in your community, as well as among your friends and loved ones.

11. Honesty

Honesty is often expressed as a quality of a good person. After all, if you discovered that someone lied to you, could you ever trust them again? If they lied to you that time, what would stop them from lying to you about everything and anything else?

People respect and appreciate honesty, especially when it’s difficult. For example, if and when we mess up horribly at work, but own that screw-up, admit to it, and take action to remedy it. Our employers and peers will respect us a lot more than if we try to cover it up or cast blame on others.

Furthermore, many people even appreciate honesty when it’s a bit hurtful. When someone is honest about a difficult topic or situation, it means that they care enough not to betray the other’s trust by lying about it. 

Of course, a lot depends on how a truth is shared. We can be gentle in our tone and the words we choose, rather than being cruel or scathing. How a truth is delivered can make the difference between long-term positive change, and trauma.

12. Humility

You know the type of person who’s always bragging about how awesome they are? Humility is the opposite of that.

Humility is holding to the idea that no person is greater or lesser than any others, despite popularity, wealth, titles, or achievements.

Those who feel that they are better or more important than other people tend to treat others badly. Since they consider themselves to be special, they often expect better treatment, and to be allowed to belittle those around them.

In contrast, someone who remains humble treats everyone around them with care and respect. They don’t tell others about all the wonderful charitable things they’ve done: they just do them. Their actions are for the greater good, not for the acknowledgement and praise they’ll receive from doing so.

13. Strength

The strength that makes a good person is mental and emotional rather than physical. Strength can be shown in a gentle way, albeit one that is unyielding. Look at Mahatma Gandhi and his hunger strike. It took immense strength to quash his own hunger, though agonizing, in order to work toward positive change. 

Hannibal and Marcus Aurelius showed immense strength of character in keeping everyone together while undertaking a massive journey. 

Anne Frank and Mother Teresa both showed tremendous strength in atrocious circumstances. Furthermore, their ability to love and care for others remained intact despite the horrors they witnessed and experienced.

You’ve likely noticed that strength and compassion, and strength and courage are linked. This is because strength is not always a projective virtue, but rather it’s an adaptive term. 

Strength is often a battery for many of the other qualities on this list. For example, you may show immense strength when you hold to integrity when everyone around you is doing something that goes against everything you believe in. Standing up for what you believe is right might be dangerous to you – perhaps even life threatening. As such, it takes immense strength of character and will to be true to yourself. 

There are many different types of love, despite the fact that only one word is used to encompass them in the Western world. We’re mostly familiar with romantic love, or the love felt between parents and children. But we can love humanity or nature with all our hearts as well. And we know that we love when we pour our energy toward other beings’ happiness, health, success, and freedom.

Some people mistake infatuation for love. Or possessiveness. Someone might love another person because they feel that the other person will give them what they need. Similarly, they might love a pet, or a house, or any other being or creature that brings them fulfillment. 

In contrast, when we truly love a person, our greatest wish is for their happiness. 

Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski covers this when he talks about “fish love.” What most people consider to be “love” is when their needs are fulfilled. Such as a man who eats a fish because he loves fish. This man loves the fish he’s eating so much that he took it out of the water, boiled it, and is eating it. He loves himself, and sees the fish as something that will fulfill his needs and wants.

If he truly loved the fish, he would encourage it to swim happily and lead a beautiful life. 

Real love isn’t a question of what we’re going to get from a situation or a person, but what we can give .

15. Self-awareness

You know in your gut when you’ve done wrong, or when you have done good.

If you ever do something and feel a twinge of shame or disgust with your actions, then you’re fully aware that you didn’t act in love or respect. Perhaps you did something sneaky for the sake of your own self-interests. Or the selfish altruism you displayed was far more for your own benefit than the other person’s.

In contrast, when you’ve done something that’s ethical and loving, you’ll feel an immense lightness of being. A warm glow will suffuse through you, and you might even get a bit choked up. You know that your actions will have long-reaching positive repercussions; like a glowing pebble thrown into a pond. Every ripple will carry light along with it.

Listen to this feeling when it speaks to you. Recognize it as your own inner compass, and allow it to lead you to the sincere goodness you’re capable of.

You may also like:

• 10 Tips For Figuring Out What Kind Of Person You Want To Be
• What To Do If You Feel Like You’re A Bad Person
• 50 Personal Development Goals To Set Yourself
• What Is A Personal Philosophy And How Do You Develop One?
• What Should We Aspire To Most In Life?
• How To Show Respect For Others (+ Why It’s Important In Life)
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About The Author

Finn Robinson has spent the past few decades travelling the globe and honing his skills in bodywork, holistic health, and environmental stewardship. In his role as a personal trainer and fitness coach, he’s acted as an informal counselor to clients and friends alike, drawing upon his own life experience as well as his studies in both Eastern and Western philosophies. For him, every day is an opportunity to be of service to others in the hope of sowing seeds for a better world.

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How to Be a Good Person Essay

1. introduction.

The work "How to Be a Good Person" begins by defining what it means to be a good person. According to the author, a good person is someone who upholds universal moral values, such as honesty, kindness, and respect towards others. The author emphasizes the importance of embodying these qualities in our daily lives, such as by acting in ways that promote the well-being of others and the world around us. This goal of self-improvement, or understanding and developing our ethical values, is what is called moral development. Throughout this book, moral development will be encouraged and described as the underlying goal of the advice given on how to become a good person. The author explains that by working to develop our own characters and ethical values, we can begin to extend this development to others and contribute to the betterment of society. A focus will be on articulating this idea of moral development, to continuously improve, or to positively affect the world as a result of our commitments to being better people. This introduction sets the stage for the various topics that will be discussed in the book. By providing a foundation for what it means to be a good person and why is it important to embody these qualities, the author effectively connects the different pieces of advice and projects that will later be discussed in the book, to help the reader not only follow along as each topic is presented, but also to understand how the broad topic of personal character and development is at work throughout the book.

1.1. Defining a good person

Defining a good person is not an easy task. In "How to Be a Good Person," we are grounded in the idea that a good person can be a multitude of things depending on who you ask and that good people can be different. A good person can be a person that is honest and respectful. A good person can be a person that helps other people in times of need. A good person can be a person that you cannot just help but admire for everything in life. Good people are those who make a difference, make something happen, and make this world a better place. These are some of the things that come to mind when we think about a good person, and this is a contrast and affects how we view good people in the realm of ethics as well. When we are thinking of what makes us a good person, or ways in which we would consider ourselves to be better, we usually reflect on day-to-day activity. These reflection practices exist in almost all cultures and often are tied to some sort of spiritual or religious routine. However, these routines can be done by anyone and can be exercises in making the intrinsic value of a good person an objective truth. It is our responsibility as good human beings to think and think critically about what makes us good so that we may strive towards that platonic form. But there is an issue in that there is no true definition of what good is, so, therefore, there is no way to know absolutely what makes someone good. These exercises, while beneficial, cannot give us access to that knowledge and therefore are ultimately in vain. This creates a paradox: we are urged to strive towards a definite good when there is no possible way of accessing that good. But in "How to Be a Good Person," we are introduced to the idea that perhaps it is not the end result of finding that good that is important. Instead, the striving towards that good and the critical thinking that occupies is the true and important part of being a good person.

1.2. Importance of being a good person

Although it may be easier for us to focus on ourselves and our personal needs, helping others and making a positive impact on the world is much more important and fulfilling. Being a good person means more than just doing things for others. It means taking the time to make personal changes within myself. When I am a good person, I demonstrate a win-win way of life. I do things which bring happiness and success to all in the long term. I take the focus off of me and what I want, and I aim to better the world around me. This is not to say that a person must suffer in order to help others. Each win-lose experience teaches a person what it is like to lose, or experience something negative themselves. If one focuses on positive experiences, it becomes clearer that any loss, or negative experience, is more a reflection of the other person than it is of themselves. In other words, the other person is really the 'loser', and they will have to deal with that in their own way. To face adversity and problems as a means of teaching others to help, share and give will inevitably build an internal strength and character that will not only affect others, but also create a sense of satisfaction; something that person cannot take away. Furthermore, the knowledge that I can change the way I look and feel about others by engaging in positive and helpful behavior, not only empowers me, but allows me to share a part of myself with others who may be in need. This is a very selfless act, and for that reason, it is character building - in other words, it helps society to have faith and trust in each other. By doing good, not only is the cycle of the win-win succession kept intact, our actions have the potential to provide future generations with a sense of faith and hope that both good and justice do exist. Over time, these experiences become the things people remember, our qualities become our persona, and ultimately, our reputation. Thus, there is no reason to live a life without good purpose. In everything, I can be a good person, if I take the time to try. Every smile, every helping hand, and every kind word is a reflection of what I am inside, and what I wish to share with the world. It is great to do and be good, not because someone may be watching, but because I feel good in my own right when I am helping others and doing good. It is a satisfaction that can be gained in no other way. As a good person, we must overlook, tolerate and forgive many of those mistakes in order to leave behind the right example that others can learn from. Everyone leads by example, whether they mean to or not. However, which example is the correct example? I want my children, my family, my friends, and everyone I meet to see and know that I live compassion, integrity, and authenticity as a way of life. That is the legacy I want to leave behind when my time in this world is completed. Altruism - caring for the well-being of others and helping them - seems to erode the instincts for survival in favor of more peaceable, harmonious and cooperative living. It challenges what is known as social exchange theory and the egoism model, which focus on humanity and life in terms of individualism. However, by realizing a greater interconnectedness between everyone on this planet, there can be mutual benefits had from helping one another in that when support is needed, it will be given and vice-versa. In the end, the fears and selfishness that encompass each of us can be conquered only by the feelings and attitudes of benevolence and selflessness - that represents what is good and just both in the world and within ourselves. It is never too late to become an integral part, a meaningful proponent and a driving force in this world. In being proactive in trying to make a difference, I have the ability to affect the minds and feelings of others around me creatively and constructively. Anyone can be a good person no matter who they are or what they do. Every person can become better, kinder, and more giving to others. Every person can make this world a better place, and in doing so, start with the ability to build relationships and communities based on common goodness for the planet.

2. Personal Development

Cultivating a truly good person in yourself isn't an easy task. It's difficult to always act the way you know you should. But learning to be a good person is possible. Over time, with dedication and hard work, you can build the character that will help you lead a morally and emotionally satisfying life. A good person is one who empathizes with others and feels a compassionate insight when it comes to the problems and needs of other people. When they see someone in need, good people will not hesitate to feel compassion for them. If you see somebody suffering, you feel it inside, as you feel a twinge of pain yourself - this is the key to true empathy. One way to learn how to help other people through a difficult time is to talk to them and ask how it's possible to make their lives easier. This could include helping out with little things, such as carrying the groceries when someone is struggling or going with people to the hospital. It's important to share the load of the people that you care about, rather than leaving them to struggle through in isolation. Viewing people in life as glass-half-full types, people who walk around seeing the best part of the feelings and actions of others and holding onto those positive emotions will build and create a good emotional well-being and neuroplasticity - both can change and develop the human brain to change progress throughout life. It's important to always let others speak their minds, even if what they're saying is difficult to hear. We should try to appreciate where that person is coming from and help them understand different perspectives on issues in life. This way, discussions can lead to greater enlightenments, while we foster the mindset of putting ourselves in others' shoes before making judgments.

2.1. Cultivating empathy and compassion

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. It exists on a spectrum, from compassion at one end to distress at the other. Compassion is the feeling of caring for someone who is experiencing misfortune and is coupled with a desire to ease or end that suffering. Empathy allows us to resonate with how others are feeling. Ground down, cultivating empathy and compassion is about personal development and this is why it is the first focus in this section. To be more empathic and compassionate to others, we need to work on being more empathic and compassionate to ourselves as well. It is through the understanding of ourselves, our belief systems and our feelings that we can start to de-centre our perspectives and appreciate the experiences of others. One tip to start cultivating these feelings is to start to question your assumptions about others and practice engaging in active, non-judgmental listening. When we make time to really listen to others and practice responding to others with understanding and kindness, we build on our abilities to be empathic and compassionate. Make a conscious choice to spend time in environments that are new to you and expose yourself to new cultures or ways of life. It helps to make a conscious reflection on what you have learned and every experience that widens your understanding will further embed your wish to be empathic and compassionate.

2.2. Practicing honesty and integrity

Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles - this is something that's extremely valued in the world today. Not everyone has integrity but it is something that people can develop and improve over time. Here are a few ways you can practice and develop your honesty and integrity. Firstly, it's important to be honest with yourself. This means checking in with yourself and making sure that you are being true to who you are and what you believe in - not just following the crowd. A good way to do this is to take some time to reflect. Meditation and mindfulness can be really helpful for this. Just a few minutes a day spent focusing and being aware of your thoughts can help you to develop greater self-awareness and understand your feelings. Next, make sure to surround yourself with people who have integrity. If the people in your life are honest and act with integrity, then it's much easier for you to do the same and to be influenced by these positive behaviors. It might also help to find a mentor or someone who you can look up to. If you find that you're in a situation where you're expected to behave in a way that compromises your integrity, then it's important that you stand up for what you believe in and refuse to back down. It can be hard to do this, especially if it means that you risk losing something, such as a job or a friendship, but in the long run you can be proud of yourself and your actions. In fact, acting with integrity involves putting the greater good above your own self-interest; you should be focused on what is right and what is best for the people around you, rather than only what is best for you. By acting selflessly and with righteousness, great leaders throughout history have shown what it truly means to lead with integrity and it's something that people admire and respect. So, let's summarize. Integrity is a wonderful character trait that can take many years to develop and is something that we may be working on throughout our entire lives. However, by being honest with ourselves and others, by truly standing up for what we believe in and by focusing on the greater good, we can begin to slowly build up and improve our integrity over time. By doing so, we'll be able to lead a happier and more fulfilling life - knowing that our conscience is clear and that we are doing right by others around us.

2.3. Developing self-awareness and mindfulness

Self-awareness means having a deep understanding of oneself. However, it can be very difficult to look inwards and face our flaws and insecurities. Mindfulness is the practice of purposely focusing your attention on the present moment and accepting it without judgment. Mindfulness is now being examined scientifically and has been found to be a key element in stress reduction and overall happiness. There is a solid body of research around the many benefits of mindfulness. In terms of self-awareness, this research has shown that the areas of the brain associated with self-referential processing and problem-solving became more active among participants who had gone through an 8-week course in mindfulness meditation. This means that after just a short amount of time, practicing mindfulness can start to alter the way our brains are wired and help with improving internal observation and awareness. There are various methods of practicing self-awareness, and mindfulness is just one of them. For those already practicing mindfulness, there are specific mindfulness activities. Most people have heard of mindfulness meditation in some form or another. But a way that is beneficial in developing self-awareness is Progressive Muscle Relaxation. Each of these activities has the dual benefit of being a mindfulness activity in and of itself, and by paying attention to how your body is feeling, it aids in the journey for self-awareness. By practicing mindfulness, not only are we exercising our brains and making the areas associated with problem-solving stronger, but we are also making the conscious effort to be more self-aware. This effort is so important, yet often overlooked. However, the more you practice, the more you will develop your ability to observe your thoughts without judgment and understand who you are as a person.

3. Building Positive Relationships

Moreover, studies show that people who practice trust, periodic reward for good behavior, and desire. Trust and teamwork make great contributions to successful business. Researching on employees' trust on one another and trust of their leaders, Dirks and Ferrin found out that both types of trust contribute to teamwork. More importantly, trust between team members significantly mediates in effectiveness of teams, while trust in the team leader does not. Studies have also shown that cooperation can increase substantially trust. In a study, researchers found that groups that were competitive or did not have any goals didn't have a significant amount of trust. In contrast, groups that were cooperative and did have goals established a significant amount of trust. It also fosters a relatively high level of cooperation. However, researchers warn us that it's not simply putting people together by instruction that generates trust. Leaders need to keep in mind that specialized training and classes for trust are useful and necessary in certain cases. For example, class can help team members learn about each other and a class can help leaders maintain and foster trust in the team. Instead, the establishment of team trust calls for a comprehensive strategy. Given the importance of trust in teamwork, leaders need to develop it from the first day, and help it grow as the team goes along. Further, team members' voices should be taken into account when new methods of raising trust are put into use. However, the level of trust in teamwork can influence the decision making in firms. Wenqi Lai, an assistant professor at the Purdue University says, "Team leaders need to make a conscious effort to build trust among team members because there are both implicit and explicit costs associated with lack of team trust." When there is lack of team trust, it raises a question of whether the team has really developed in an effective level. Coordinative mechanisms, like brainstorming sessions and horizontal communications, which are based on trust would also be collapsed. If a project is both resource and guidance intensive, the contributing team members may feel skeptical about the meaningfulness of their work.

3.1. Communicating effectively and actively listening

One essential ingredient of being a good person is to be a good communicator. As "How to Be a Good Person" puts it, being able to communicate well is the key to develop a good relationship and to be understood by others. It is also important to know how to listen actively. Communicating effectively and actively listening to others can help us understand and be understood. This is important not only in our personal lives, but also when we are facing conflicts in the workplace. According to the book, one of the most important aspects of effective communication is respecting those with whom you are communicating. By doing this, we will make the other person as well as ourselves feel comfortable. The book suggests paying attention to facial expression, to use "I message" and empathize with the feelings of others. "I message" is a communication tool that focuses on expressing your feelings or thoughts about the other person's behavior instead of putting blame directly. This method encourages accurate expression by the speaker and it also helps the listener to understand the subtle message in a respectful atmosphere. As opposed to giving "you message", using "I message" can show that we are more willing to communicate and work for a solution with the other party and it is important to build a constructive dialogue. The book also provides strategies for active listening. To be a good listener, the book suggests that we should maintain good focus on the speaker, withhold judgment and make responses, whether verbal or nonverbal. We should also pay attention to the body language of the speaker. Active listening demonstrates respect to the speaker and it can help deepen our understanding of the speaker's feelings and thoughts. By doing so, we can provide more meaningful and attentive responses. Last but not least, the book advises that we should keep our own emotions in check. This is because "emotions can be so powerful that they can interfere with our ability to listen". The book suggests that if the topic is too emotional to have a productive conversation, consider taking a break and revisit the issue later when both parties are calmer.

3.2. Showing kindness and respect towards others

It is important to always treat people with kindness and respect. It is truly easy to do and makes a big difference in your relationships with others. For example, one thing you can do is to always say please and thank you. When others help you or give you something, you can use one of these polite expressions right away. These two expressions show your appreciation and people will feel that you are a thoughtful person. Another thing you can do is to respect the feelings of others. If you make a negative comment about someone, you hurt their feelings. This is because your words express what you think and believe. If you do not have something kind or helpful to say, it is better not to say anything. Most importantly, you should be grateful, too. It means more than saying thank you. When someone has done something nice for you, show them that you care about their feelings. You can share their happiness, too. If they are happy about something, you can be happy for them. You can be grateful for what you have. Think about all the good things in your life and appreciate them. Try not to take anything for granted. Also, you can show kindness to others. Like the Sun, your kindness should shine on everyone. You have to be kind to yourself, too. By doing this, you will find that it will be easier to be kind to others, as well. When you make a mistake, learn from it and do not get too upset. Try not to put yourself down too much. Instead, be patient with yourself and with others. You will find that about 95% of the world behaves in a negative manner. By being a kind person, you will have good friends and good cheer, which is the best money can buy. Remember, if you are kind and respectful to others, you can develop your positive relationships with friends and people around you. Last but not least, do a random act of kindness every day. This is a reflection of what you have in your heart. You should do this as a meditation every morning. Write down a list of the things that you are grateful for and another list for the things you want to achieve. You have to repeat it to yourself daily but remember, you will have to achieve this with actions. Every night, write down what random act of kindness you have performed that day. Also, for the activity, things like holding a door open for someone, letting someone go ahead of you in line at the cafeteria, picking up a piece of trash on the street, smiling at somebody in the hallway or giving a big tip at a restaurant should all count. These little kind acts are good for your health. They can make you feel lighter and happier, and if you keep doing these acts, they could help to make the world a better place, too. Well begun is half done. Start with a small act of kindness because the simplest thing can make the biggest difference. It is simple to do and it is a wonderful way to live. With every small act of kindness, with every smile, something wonderful happens. For you, and for others. For every gift received, no matter how small, your spirit grows in kindness. You should practice. If you practice sports, you get better. Kindness is something like a muscle. The more you use it, the better and strong it will be. You should practice with family. Let us say you have a big sister and she has her first piano recital. If you practice kindness, you would be the first to say congratulations and to give a hug. And in fact, you would motivate your sister to perform better. It is a win-win situation, not only for you. But for the people around you. Thank you.

3.3. Resolving conflicts peacefully

Everyone has arguments sometimes. When a disagreement arises, it is easy to get into a fight or to just give the other person what they want and then to become more and more upset as you look back on it. However, conflicts may also be seen as opportunities for growth. When people come together to resolve a disagreement, they can learn from one another. A person has the chance to become a really deep and thoughtful listener when resolving conflicts. First and foremost, the primary goal in any conflict is to resolve it, not to win. Therefore, all parties must take responsibility. This means both owning up to any part that they may have played in making the conflict worse and deciding to make the situation better. People must also work to emotionally become aware of the other person and their needs. It is vital to maintain communication, even if it may be challenging. When tensions are high and the people involved are frustrated, there is a very strong urge to interrupt others and to respond defensively. However, everyone who takes part in resolving a conflict must make a decision to express themselves in a healthy manner. This means that people must be willing to cool down and step back from a situation from time to time, and others need to allow them to do so. For instance, Laura, our professor of law and ethics in counselling, points out that anger is more often than not a secondary emotion. People become angry because they feel something else such as stress, fear, embarrassment, or vulnerability first. Recognising the underlying emotion gives people the chance to approach the situation with a clearer mindset. Finally, conflict resolution often requires some give and take from both sides. This can breed a new way of interacting with the person you are in conflict with, which is an effective form of engagement with the world around you. The new foundation that is laid down by working to resolve a conflict properly can lead to a more honest sense of self as well as a more insightful study of others. The adaptable reasoning skills that come from this type of engagement are a route to deep and meaningful thought and are often more useful than the result of a win/lose situation.

3.4. Building trust and fostering teamwork

Effective teamwork relies on open communication, mutual respect, and trust. Trust is one of the main factors in building positive relationships. To build trust in a team, it is important for each member to know each other as well as possible. Spending time together in team meetings, socials, and team development allows team members to build personal relationships. Furthermore, by sharing information about themselves and getting to know the others, trust grows. For example, five years ago when I first started my job in my current company, my team leader at the time made us all play a game in our weekly team meeting. We each had to reveal our most embarrassing moment. The team leader went first with a funny story and everyone laughed, then one by one the rest of us shared something. I realized the team leader had finished the game and we were all just gathering round to listen to me last. At the time, I thought it was just a fun way to get to know each other better but looking back, I think he was trying to demonstrate the benefit of sharing personal information to build trust within our team. Another way to create a good foundation of trust in a team is to create a team charter. A team charter is a document that is developed in a team setting that clarifies team values and goals. It serves as a contract between the team and its stakeholders. One of the core purposes of a team charter is to outline the common values of the team. By involving everyone in its creation, for example, one person should not dominate the discussion and all views should be taken into account and risk or unknown factors should be identified, the team will have an agreement that everyone has signed up to. This will create an environment in which the group can grow and develop safely. I believe everyone in the team will be putting these values into practice and that will create a culture of trust. Furthermore, this can clarify leaders' and managers' expectations and help resolve disputes. By promoting high involvement and dialogue, a team charter can also help develop a more cohesive team. Such teams are characterized by producing quality results, member satisfaction, and a sense of contribution and personal growth. This process demonstrates the willingness of all team members to work together and to develop a strong and productive working environment. Finally, remember that it takes time to build and gain trust, especially in a work environment. Being open, honest, and straightforward will help you to build trust within your team. When you build that trust, you are also building the bonds within the team, thus creating a sense of yourselves working as a single unit, as opposed to a group of individuals.

4. Contributing to the Community

At the very heart of community lies the idea of reciprocal relationships. This means that we each take responsibility for our society and do what we can to help others. This is why contributing to the community is so important. It's a way for an individual to show the people around them that they care, and that the community they live in is a good, happy place to be. There are many different ways to contribute to the community, whether you're simply taking a pair of litter-pickers to the park or whether you're establishing and running a gaming community to bring people together. The point is that everyone - regardless of their age, gender or ability - can make a difference to their community and the people in it. In much the same way as how our parents teach us moral values when we are young, our peers and the experiences that we have in our teenage years help to shape the values that we develop as we grow older. This means that, when we start contributing to our communities when we are young, we are well-placed to develop into well-rounded members of society. Indeed, many of us can feel uncertain about ourselves and our abilities. Sometimes, it's easy to forget the value that we have as an individual and the power that we have to influence the world around us. However, when we begin to actually do something, we realise that our actions have an impact and that we can make a difference. Contributing to the community helps us to build the self-confidence, esteem and the resilience that we need to maintain our mental wellbeing. But more than that, it helps us to develop a truly authentic sense of self, which can only be discovered when we know what it means to help others. When we show that we value our community by volunteering or helping to establish a community group, we also make a positive impression on the people around us. This doesn't just mean that we'll have more friends, or that people are more likely to support us. Instead, it means that we open the door to fruitful and long-lasting relationships, driven by the common desire to create a better living space for everyone. This helps to foster a sense of unity and togetherness within a community and, in doing so, the place where we live becomes more than just a place that we might call home. It becomes a springboard, a comfort and a source of support. This can be especially helpful when times get tough - just knowing that you have a network of people who care about you and share the same values can be incredibly beneficial. Whether you're learning camping skills at scouts, helping to run a drama class or volunteering at your local charity shop, there are plenty of ways that young people can start to make a difference. And as this passage has highlighted, the benefits of contributing to the community are wide-reaching and can provide support and a sense of wellbeing that lasts throughout life.

4.1. Volunteering and giving back

As opposed to financial giving, volunteering means offering time, service, or expertise to make a beneficial impact on someone or something in need. When a person volunteers, it offers the person the opportunity to change lives, including his or her own. It is not known when, where, or the number of volunteer hours a person would like to donate. All that has to be done as a volunteer is a willingness to help others. In many cases it provides the volunteer with a sense of purpose - a feeling that the volunteer can make a real difference. Nowadays, many volunteer organizations run on donations and grants. Paid staff do not have time to do the work that volunteers do. For example, in the non-profit sector, very little government money is given to fighting diseases. It is the volunteers who raise the funds for research and provide the medications and support that people need. Much of this sort of help depends on volunteers giving their time. Have you ever wanted to help out somewhere but did not know how to get in touch with the right people or what is needed most? There are a lot of places that can learn from new ideas and people; the trick is to find those places and learn about what is needed in a particular community. This is what volunteering is all about - finding those places. Another great way to find places that need volunteer help is by using the internet. Just type in the kind of volunteering that would like to do and maybe include the area of the world that would like to work in. It is as simple as that!

4.2. Promoting social justice and equality

Entrenched social injustice and power imbalances require every member of the community to become informed, open-minded, and actively engaged in broad-based efforts to create the public will for social change. This means citizens should work on both political and social levels to reduce inequality and promote the public good. There are a variety of ways in which citizens can work to promote social justice and combat inequality. On a personal level, one should educate themselves as fully as possible on issues of social justice and injustice. Making a commitment to understand and appreciate other cultures and to move out of a 'comfort zone' is also an important step. In the sphere of social justice, there are many different organizations that one can consider aligning themselves with. Voluntary associations and non-governmental organizations focused on a wide range of issues from racial equality to poverty. Through both education and actions, individual citizens have the power to advance social justice in their communities. Social justice will be achieved only when we have, as a society, a proper distribution of rights, respect, responsibilities, protection, and resources that ensure the ability of people to meaningfully participate in and contribute to the social, economic, and political lives of their communities. The opportunity to be active in making a difference in one's community and society can have profound effects on both the individual and the collective will to strive towards a society that provides fair opportunities and outcomes for all of its citizens. By promoting social justice and equality, and working to prevent injustice, citizens can effect positive change in their communities and enhance the lives of those around them. Through greater public awareness and pressure, the social and economic structures that maintain unfair conditions can be altered. Reforms can be put in place that will provide all citizens with the opportunity to make their lives, and the lives of others better. By focusing individual efforts within the larger context of organized movements for social change, citizens can help build a more just and equitable society where everyone has the opportunity to fully benefit and contribute. This is the ultimate goal of promoting social justice, and it is a goal well worth the effort.

4.3. Being environmentally conscious

Although being a contributing member of society can involve many things, one way that you can help to support the community is by being environmentally conscious. Being environmentally conscious means that you should live your life in a way that shows respect for the environment. The theory of this idea is that the things that we do now, in terms of using up the Earth's natural resources and the levels of pollution that we cause, will have an effect later. The polar ice caps are melting and weather patterns are changing. Sea levels are rising and whole areas of land are now becoming submerged in water. Some scientists believe that these are signs of the start of global warming. This is where the temperature of the planet rises because of the atmosphere being overloaded with carbon. The Earth could become hotter and hotter every year and climate all over the world could change. By living in an environmentally responsible manner, you are doing your bit to mitigate the effects of global warming. You can help by doing simple things in your day to day life such as using recycling bins and composting, avoiding the use of plastic bags and switching to using the seamless reusable bags, using energy saving light bulbs or using energy efficient appliances. Also you can volunteer to help clean up parks and rivers or by participating in recycling programs. These programs generally have a good community spirit as individuals work together with a common goal. It can work wonders for your sense of well-being and you get to meet a wide variety of people from different walks of life. Also, by making a society a better place to live, you can often lower crime rates and you will get better services and facilities. Adapting your lifestyle so that you are more respectful to the environment is easy with a few small changes but by teaching each other and raising awareness, the collective effort leads to a better place for all of us to live.

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Students are often asked to write an essay on Qualities of a Good Person in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

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100 Words Essay on Qualities of a Good Person

Understanding goodness.

A good person is someone we all strive to be. They possess traits that are admired and make others feel good.

Kindness and Compassion

Kindness is a fundamental quality. A good person shows compassion, helping others without expecting anything in return.

Honesty and Integrity

Honesty and integrity are vital. A good person stays true to their word, ensuring trust is built and maintained.

Respectfulness

Respect for all is another key quality. Good people understand that everyone is unique and deserves respect.

Responsibility

Lastly, responsibility is essential. Good people are accountable for their actions, learning from mistakes, and striving to improve.

250 Words Essay on Qualities of a Good Person

Introduction.

Being a good person is a complex and multifaceted concept, encompassing a variety of characteristics and traits. It’s a subjective term, often shaped by societal norms, personal beliefs, and individual values. However, some universal qualities are widely recognized as markers of a good person.

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. A good person is empathetic, demonstrating an innate capacity to connect with others on an emotional level. They can put themselves in someone else’s shoes, fostering understanding and promoting unity.

Integrity is a fundamental quality of a good person. It’s about being honest, trustworthy, and standing up for what is right, even when it’s challenging. A person with integrity holds themselves accountable for their actions and decisions, fostering respect and trust among their peers.

Respect for Diversity

In an increasingly globalized world, respect for diversity is crucial. A good person acknowledges and appreciates the differences among people, embracing diversity in thought, culture, and lifestyle. They understand that diversity enriches society and fosters growth and innovation.

Kindness, though simple, is a powerful quality. A good person is kind, not because they expect something in return, but because it’s the right thing to do. They strive to spread positivity, make others feel valued, and contribute to a more compassionate world.

In conclusion, being a good person is about more than just individual actions or behaviors. It’s about embodying qualities like empathy, integrity, respect for diversity, and kindness. These qualities enable us to connect with others, foster positive relationships, and contribute to a better world.

500 Words Essay on Qualities of a Good Person

Understanding the qualities that make a good person is essential in fostering interpersonal relationships and building societies. A good person is not defined by their wealth, fame, or power but by their character, actions, and how they treat others. This essay outlines several key qualities that define a good person.

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It is an essential quality that allows a person to connect with others on a deeper level. Empathy fosters kindness and compassion, making one considerate of the feelings and circumstances of others. It encourages mutual understanding and respect, which are vital in any social interaction.

Integrity is another crucial quality of a good person. It involves being honest and having strong moral principles. People with integrity stand by their beliefs and values, even when facing challenges. They uphold ethical standards and are reliable and trustworthy. Their actions align with their words, making them dependable and respected in their communities.

Resilience refers to the ability to recover quickly from difficulties. Life is full of ups and downs, and a good person knows how to navigate these challenges without losing their sense of self. Resilient individuals are adaptable and maintain a positive outlook on life, despite the obstacles they face. Their ability to bounce back inspires others and fosters a sense of hope and optimism.

Selflessness

Selflessness is the ability to put others’ needs before your own. A good person is willing to make sacrifices for the benefit of others. They give their time, resources, and energy to help those in need without expecting anything in return. Their selfless acts often make a significant impact on the lives of others.

Open-mindedness

Open-mindedness is the willingness to consider different ideas and perspectives. A good person understands that the world is diverse, and people have varying opinions and beliefs. They respect these differences and are open to learning from others. Their open-mindedness fosters inclusivity and promotes understanding and acceptance.

In conclusion, the qualities of a good person revolve around their character and actions towards others. Empathy, integrity, resilience, selflessness, and open-mindedness are all critical attributes. These qualities not only make individuals better but also contribute to building healthier relationships and societies. It is essential to remember that being a good person is not about perfection but striving to make a positive impact on the lives of others.

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How to Be a Good Person

Last Updated: March 16, 2024 Approved

This article was co-authored by Tracey Rogers, MA . Tracey L. Rogers is a Certified Life Coach and Professional Astrologer based in Philadelphia. Tracey has over 10 years of life coaching and astrology experience. Her work has been featured on nationally syndicated radio, as well as online platforms such as Oprah.com. She is certified as a Coach by the Life Purpose Institute, and she has an MA in International Education from George Washington University. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 79 testimonials and 87% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 1,725,907 times.

Being a good person means more than just doing things for others. You have to accept and love yourself before you can put positive energy into the universe. Philosophers have been debating what is good and what is not for centuries, and many people find that it's more complicated than just being kind . While every person's journey is different, being good has a lot to do with discovering yourself and your role in the world. In order to truly be good, you will have to consider what 'goodness' means to you. Perhaps this means doing good for others, or simply being an honest and kind person. Use some of the following tips to help yourself be a better person.

Improving Yourself

• What is your ideal person? Make a list of traits that you believe make up a good, ideal person. Start living your life according to these traits. [2] X Research source
• Are you waiting for something in return? Are you doing things because it will help you look good? Or are you doing things because you truly want to give and help? Stop putting up airs and adopt the attitude of giving without expectation of receiving anything in return. [3] X Research source
• Being good does not mean only by outer goodness. You have to consider being good straight from the heart (i.e., purely). Ultimately, you have to decide on your own code of ethics, and what matters is that you follow through with what you believe makes you a good person. At times, this may conflict with what others believe is good, and they might even accuse you of being wrong or evil. Consider their views - either they know something you don't, in which case you may learn something from them and update your morality, or perhaps their experience is limited, meaning that you should take their views with a grain of salt.

• Who do you look up to and why? How are they making the world a better place to live in, and how can you do the same?
• What qualities do you admire in them, and how can you develop the same ones?
• Keep your role model close to you, like a friendly spirit that is always at your side. Think of how they would respond to a question or circumstance, and how you should respond in the same manner.

• You have your own unique gifts and talents. Focus on sharing them with the world instead of focusing on the gifts of another. [8] X Research source

• Are you superficially acting like a good person? If you are self-loathing and angry on the inside, you may not be a good person despite all your outward actions.

• Be good for its own sake. Don't try to be a good person because your parents told you to, because you want recognition or respect, or for any kind of reward except your own satisfaction in doing what you believe is good. Never act superior to anyone else or brag about your "goodness" or "righteousness". Your dedication to a particular creed, ideology, or set of guidelines does not make you better than anyone else. Do what you believe makes you a good person on your own terms, and remember that it's an individual journey - everyone's path is unique. " Do good by stealth, and blush to find it fame." — Alexander Pope.

• Find a private, safe space free from distractions. Sit in a comfortable position. Clear your mind from all thoughts and take a few deep, slow breaths. Observe the thoughts in your head. Don't feel or react, just observe. If your focus breaks, just count to ten. Meditate until you feel cleansed and rejuvenated. [13] X Research source

• An example for Goal 1: I will listen to others without interrupting at all either verbally or in any other way. Think of how annoying it can be for you when the other person begins to move the lips as if they are about to intervene.
• Goal 2: I will do my best to think of what things would make another person happy. This could be sharing your food or drink with others when they are hungry or thirsty, letting someone else sit where you want to sit or something else.

Having a Positive Attitude

• The Motto of the Christophers says: "It is better to light a single candle than it is to curse the darkness." Be that light. When you see controversy, try to be the one who changes the subject by suggesting a solution . Don't state what you would do, but ask everyone to get involved.

• Even reach out to people who have been cold or indifferent to you. Show someone who is rude to you the example of your kindness. Maybe people have always been rude to them. Be the person who shows them kindness instead. [16] X Research source

• Buying organic and locally grown food
• Being a responsible pet owner by cleaning up after your pets [17] X Research source
• Donating old items to shelters or charitable organizations instead of a thrift store [18] X Research source
• Putting items back in the store where you got them instead of leaving them
• Not taking the closest parking space so you leave it for someone who needs it more

• Don't be in a hurry to get to the store and get back. Enjoy the scenery as you pass by. While in the store, notice all the fine and colorful fruits and vegetables that are there for your nourishment, and realize that others are not as fortunate to enjoy the same benefits. Buy some extra nourishing food to give to the food bank to help feed others. Suggest to the manager there should be a food drop off sold at discount somewhere in the store for the poor.
• Only use the car horn in an emergency situation. Don't blow it at a little old man that can barely see over the wheel or someone driving extremely slow. Realize the driver may be taking his/her time so he/she doesn't injure him/herself or someone else. If they rush past you, understand that they may be in a hurry for something important. Even if they are not, why add to already negative feelings? [21] X Research source Anger only begets anger.

• Have integrity. Make your word mean something. If you say you are going to do something, then follow through on that promise. If circumstances arise that make it so you can't do it, be honest and direct and let the person know. [26] X Research source
• Being honest doesn't mean being rude or cruel.

• It doesn't work very well if you are merely trying to be diplomatic. Don't adopt a policy like, "Anything for a quiet life."

Live empathetically and help others to the best of your ability "We have a responsibility to be aware of others. We need to make justice the norm, not the exception."

Interacting With Others

• Be respectful of elderly people . Realize that you will be old someday and may need a helping hand. Next time you go to a mall, parking lot, or anywhere, look for an old person struggling with something, like carrying bags or loading groceries into their car. Ask, "May I help you with that?" You will be doing a great service for seniors. Sometimes you may get one who will reject your offer; simply say, "I understand, and I wish you a good day." Or when you are out and see an old person alone, say hello with an amiable smile and ask how they are doing. Just acknowledging someone can make their day.
• Be compassionate towards intellectually disabled people . They are people with feelings too. Give them a big smile and treat them like a person. If other people are smiling or laughing with your interaction with them, ignore them and keep your attention on the person who is your true friend.
• Don't be racist , homophobic, or intolerant of other religions . The world is a large place full of diversity. Learn from others and celebrate differences.

• Don't blame others. Accept what is your fault, talk to others about what they have done to upset you. But blaming others fosters negativity and resentment. [28] X Research source
• If you can't let go of your anger, try writing down your feelings, meditating, or managing your thoughts. [29] X Research source
• Don't try to correct people when they're angry by saying something irrational. Just listen with compassion and remain quiet. Say to them, "I'm sorry you feel this way, is there anything I can do to help?"

• Jealousy is hard to overcome. Try to realize that you don't have to have the same things as everyone else. Try to stop feeling jealous of other people.

• When other people see you doing good deeds, they will be reminded to take more positive action themselves. Nurturing someone else and striving to be an example can help you see your own acts more clearly.
• Start small. Join a Big Brother-Big Sister program, volunteer to coach a kid's sports team, teach, or be a role model for young family members. [34] X Research source

• Share your food with others. Never take the biggest slice of pizza or piece of meat, or if you absolutely must do so, split it with others.

• Don't talk about others behind their backs. Be a genuine person. If you have a problem with someone, confront them in a respectful way. Don't spread bad things about them when they are not around.
• Don't unfairly judge people. You don't know the circumstances surrounding them. Give people the benefit of the doubt, and respect their choices. [36] X Research source
• Treat others the way you'd like to be treated. Remember the golden rule. Put the energy out into the universe you'd like to receive.
• Respect extends to your surroundings, too. Don't throw trash on the floor, don't purposefully mess up things, and don't talk too loud or be obnoxious. Respect that other people share the same space as you. [37] X Research source

Expert Q&A

• You may make mistakes, but never repeat the same mistakes. Learn from your mistakes and help yourself grow stronger as a person. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
• Remember, happiness is a state of mind. The only thing in the world that we can control is ourselves, so choose to be happy and control yourself by purposely maintaining a positive mental attitude. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• When people attempt to put you down, don't talk back or take it to heart. Instead, laugh or shrug it off, or simply say you're sorry they feel this way. This will show you are too smart to sink down to their level and will prevent you from being harsh, aggressive, and a bad person. Not to mention, when they see how well you handle the situation, even your aggressors may back off or lose their interest in insulting you. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• Recognize that you may find it more difficult to be kind and understanding in practice than in theory - just keep working at it. Thanks Helpful 57 Not Helpful 4
• As much as possible, seek to have a sense of humor about these things - both with regards to the mistakes you've made and the sacrifices you anticipate you will need to make to be nice. Thanks Helpful 39 Not Helpful 3
• The areas relating to others which you could most likely improve in are quite possibly the ones which you are least willing to admit that you are wrong in; that's exactly why you can benefit so much from facing that you may be wrong or out of line in how you relate to or treat others. Thanks Helpful 46 Not Helpful 5
• Remember that you are still human - for as long as you live, you will have a tendency to sometimes make mistakes; that's okay. Everyone makes them. Do the best you can, and if you occasionally make mistakes or are not as nice as you'd like to be, just bring yourself back to focusing on thinking of others as much as yourself. Thanks Helpful 42 Not Helpful 5
• If someone asks you for help and it involves doing what they should do alone never do it! It's cheating and simply teaches the person that cheating is fine. Thanks Helpful 33 Not Helpful 8

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/10226211/Are-you-a-good-person.html
• ↑ http://personalexcellence.co/blog/101-ways-to-be-a-better-person/
• ↑ Tracey Rogers, MA. Certified Life Coach. Expert Interview. 6 January 2020.
• ↑ https://www.inc.com/john-rampton/15-ways-to-become-a-better-person.html
• ↑ http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-12430/31-ways-to-be-a-better-person-every-day.html
• ↑ http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/5-reasons-why-you-should-always-yourself.html
• ↑ http://personalexcellence.co/blog/10-reasons-you-should-meditate/
• ↑ http://personalexcellence.co/blog/how-to-meditate/
• ↑ http://www.marcandangel.com/2013/09/08/10-ways-to-gain-fame-for-being-a-good-person/
• ↑ http://thoughtcatalog.com/david-dean/2013/06/how-to-be-a-good-person-everyday/
• ↑ http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/9-ways-better-person.html
• ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joyce-marter-/10-ways-to-evolve-and-be-_b_4495114.html

About This Article

To be a good person, make sure to love and accept yourself so that you can be more accepting of others. Additionally, try to approach situations with a positive attitude, focusing on what you can do rather than what you did wrong. Then, work on being more empathetic by treating others as you would want to be treated. You should also try to perform a small act of kindness every day, like holding open a door or giving someone your seat on the bus. Alternatively, do something positive for the world around you, like recycling your trash or cleaning up after your pet. For tips on how to be a good person by forgiving other people’s mistakes, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Being a Good Person — Attributes of a Good Person

Attributes of a Good Person

• Categories: Being a Good Person

About this sample

Words: 1044 |

Published: Dec 12, 2018

Words: 1044 | Pages: 2 | 6 min read

What Does It Mean to Be a Good Person?

Works cited.

• Bandura, A. (1999). Moral disengagement in the perpetration of inhumanities. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 3(3), 193-209.
• Batson, C. D., Ahmad, N., & Tsang, J. (2002). Four motives for community involvement. Journal of Social Issues, 58(3), 429-445.
• Baumeister, R. F., & Exline, J. J. (2000). Virtue, personality, and social relations: Self-control as the moral muscle. Journal of Personality, 68(6), 1165-1194.
• Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The "what" and "why" of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227-268.
• Eisenbeiss, S. A., Knippenberg, D. V., & Boerner, S. (2008). Transformational leadership and team innovation: Integrating team climate principles. Journal of Applied Psychology, 93(6), 1438-1446.
• Keltner, D., & Haidt, J. (2003). Approaching awe, a moral, spiritual, and aesthetic emotion. Cognition and Emotion, 17(2), 297-314.
• Leary, M. R., Twenge, J. M., & Quinlivan, E. (2006). Interpersonal rejection as a determinant of anger and aggression. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 10(2), 111-132.
• Roberts, B. W., Kuncel, N. R., Shiner, R., Caspi, A., & Goldberg, L. R. (2007). The power of personality: The comparative validity of personality traits, socioeconomic status, and cognitive ability for predicting important life outcomes. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 2(4), 313-345.
• Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68-78.
• Staub, E. (2001). The roots of goodness: The fulfillment of basic human needs and the development of caring, helping, and nonaggression, inclusive caring, moral courage, active bystandership, and altruism born of suffering. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 5(4), 388-394.

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How Can You Tell If You Are a Good Person?

Four virtues are the key. which do you possess.

Posted October 14, 2016 | Reviewed by Ekua Hagan

There are many ways to define what it means to be a good person. One definition of “good” is that you follow the rules — you don’t break the law, commit crimes, lie, or cheat.

Another way to determine who is a good person is to ask others — friends, family members, coworkers — people who know you and can “vouch” for your good qualities and character.

Another, more abstract, way to define goodness is that, at the end of your days, you leave the world a better place — you have done good deeds, saved lives (or souls), raised good children, made others happy, and the list goes on.

An approach that we’ve used in our research on “good” leaders stems from the ancient Greek philosophers and emphasizes character. According to Aristotle, there are four cardinal virtues that determine a person of good character. So, an easy way to get on the path to “goodness” is to practice the four virtues.

Here are the four cardinal virtues, their definitions, and how you can tell if you are leading a virtuous life.

1. Prudence. Another term for prudence is “ wisdom ,” but it involves being objective and reflective when deciding on courses of action. Prudent individuals learn to avoid making bad decisions. They value and learn from others. To assess how prudent you are, consider this:

• Do you make life decisions by studying information, listening to the advice of trusted friends and relations, and “fact-checking?"
• Do you choose courses of action that are based on what you “ought” to do? For example, would your parents approve of your course of action?

2. Temperance. This virtue focuses on moderation — not being too extreme. It involves controlling your passions and not acting out.

• Do you manage your emotions, particularly the “dark” ones (i.e., anger , despair)?
• Do you avoid the lure of power, wealth, and do you have good perspective on your own accomplishments (i.e., not have an overinflated ego)?

3. Justice. This virtue deals with being fair and respecting others.

• Do you treat others fairly, giving them credit when credit is due?
• Do you respect the rights of others? Do you treat others as you would want to be treated?

4. Fortitude (or Courage). This involves having the courage to stand up for what you believe in — to do the right thing.

• Do you intervene when you see others being mistreated or abused?
• Do you have the courage to take responsibility for your own mistakes and failures?
• Do you have a moral compass that you follow and do you have the courage to do what that moral compass tells you to do?

Although our work involves trying to help leaders assess and build their character via the cardinal virtues, these are important for everyone, not just leaders. Moreover, parents should foster these virtues in themselves and in their children. Focusing on these virtues, checking your own behavior, and working to become more virtuous in all areas of life is the key to becoming a good person.

Follow me on Twitter.

Riggio, R.E., Zhu, W., Reina, C., & Maroosis, J. (2010). Virtue-based measurement of ethical leadership: The Leadership Virtues Questionnaire. Consulting Psychology Journal, 62(4), 235-250.

Ronald E. Riggio, Ph.D. , is the Henry R. Kravis Professor of Leadership and Organizational Psychology at Claremont McKenna College.

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How to let go of being a "good" person — and become a better person - dolly chugh.

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What if your attachment to being a "good" person is holding you back from actually becoming a better person? In this accessible talk, social psychologist Dolly Chugh explains the puzzling psychology of ethical behavior -- like why it's hard to spot your biases and acknowledge mistakes -- and shows how the path to becoming better starts with owning your mistakes.

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The Goal of Education Is Becoming

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As I continue to delve deeper and deeper into the world of education and K-12 schools and how each needs to prepare our children for the 21st century, I find myself focusing on a single word with increasing frustration: learning.

That might seem strange. Pretty much everything you hear and read about education these days assumes that “learning” is the goal for our students. But it’s not.

The real goal of education, and of school, is becoming —becoming a “good” person and becoming a more capable person than when you started. Learning is nothing but a means of accomplishing that goal, and it is dangerous to confuse the ends with the means.

Learning would be the right aspiration, if we wanted our children to become learnèd (in the old sense of “knowing stuff”) or scholars, as some parents and teachers still demand.

But that’s hardly today’s ambition for most of us or our kids. Instead, very few educators or parents have learning or scholarship in their hearts as the endgame for their children, except in the sense of their kids’ getting good grades. Most of us would prefer our children become the very best people they can be, capable of effective thinking, acting, relating, and accomplishing in whatever field they enjoy and have a passion for.

Yet, with the exception of some independent schools and the small character-based education movement, the only type of becoming that our conversation about education and school seems to focus on is the one in which young people “become” a member of a particular college class.

School focuses almost exclusively on kids’ learning four basic subjects: math, language arts, science, and social studies. Our tests—big and small—are an attempt to put numbers around that learning and to rank students in their acquisition of it. We ask, ad infinitum: How much are our kids learning? Are they learning enough? What is the best way to measure their learning? How do they learn best? What gets in the way of their learning? Are their schools making adequate yearly progress?

We might ask our kids, what did you learn in school today? But most of us, I submit, don’t really care, nor do I think we should. Why aren’t we asking them, what did you become that you weren’t before? Have you moved in a positive direction to better yourself and society? That’s the information we really want to know as concerned parents, citizens, employers, and taxpayers.

Very few educators or parents have learning or scholarship in their hearts as the endgame for their children.”

Rarely do we expect our K-12 kids to become anything besides good test-takers. We certainly don’t expect them, by means of their education, to become what the Dalai Lama might call “good” people. Nor do we expect them to become good thinkers, actors, relaters, or particularly effective in our rapidly changing world, except, perhaps, in tiny and often outmoded ways.

Don’t misunderstand me. There is nothing wrong with our kids’ learning; in fact, there is a great deal to be said in favor of it. But it should be seen as a means to an end. Learning for its own sake, enjoyable as some may find it, is hollow.

There are probably billions of people in the world who have finished school without becoming what they could have. Some may have acquired knowledge and skills through their education, but have accomplished little or nothing.

Rather than putting so much effort into creating and implementing the common-core standards, we would do far better to design “accomplishment-based education” whereby our kids have the means to become the kinds of people we want them to be. When they leave school, with a strong resume to their credit, they should be creative and effective thinkers, communicators, and doers. Anyone who thinks we’ve arrived at that goal is fooling himself.

Our kids should be asking themselves: Who am I becoming? Have I become a better thinker? If so, in what ways? Am I able to do things I couldn’t before? What is important to me and why? Can I relate comfortably to individuals, in teams and in virtual communities? Can I accomplish bigger, more sophisticated projects to add to my portfolio? What kind of person have I had to become to achieve these accomplishments? Can I make the world a better place?

We spend so much time and effort looking at test scores, averages, and other petty measurements of “learning” that we have little time or energy left to focus on who our students are (or are not) as individuals, what they love or hate, or what drives them. We shouldn’t be surprised, then, if they become people we do not like or respect, or if we have concerns about their potential contributions to society.

Although becoming may be harder to quantify than some of the things we measure today, we do not have a hard time recognizing it. Suppose teachers had to sit down a few times a year and write about what they think each of their students is becoming? It would be far more useful and interesting to a parent (or a potential employer) to know how good a student is at thinking, doing, relating, and accomplishing. We should care more about that student’s passion than we do about his or her grades in math, language arts, social studies, and science.

Our education and schools should not be so overly focused on learning. It is the wrong aspiration for our students, despite centuries of academic tradition. If we were to focus instead on helping all students be the very best and most capable people they can be (as some of our best independent schools have been consciously doing for some time), our kids’ education and our society would be light-years ahead of where they are now. If we had different expectations, who knows what our kids might become?

A version of this article appeared in the May 07, 2014 edition of Education Week as The Goal of Education Is Becoming

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Being a "Good Person" is Not Enough: Why Ethics Need Islam

Published: January 27, 2022 • Updated: March 22, 2023

Author : Dr. Ovamir Anjum

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ

In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

• The Prophetic  ﷺ  declaration that he had been sent “ only to perfect noble traits of character”  confirms our empirical experience that although the ethical impulse—the love for what is good—is natural to all human beings, we need revelation to guide and perfect it.
• Disagreement and confusion about the goal and nature of good character are rampant, and misguided ethical beliefs have inspired the most horrific evils in human history.
• Secular modernity, which claims to provide ethics without revelation, has tried to “smuggle” in religious values, but has failed in providing meaning to individuals and restraint against exploitation. Today’s ecological crisis is an irrefutable judgment against modern hegemonic ethics of capitalism, secularism, and liberalism, and the Islamic alternative is urgently needed.
• Divinely revealed norms are confirmed and enhanced by rational ethical reflection.
• To fail to acknowledge and thank the Creator is a great ethical failure.

Introduction

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Modern challenges: epistemic and economic imperialism and climate change.

• Since the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, within 200 years, humans have consumed nearly all of the fossil fuels that it took natural processes 200 million years to deposit into the earth, and the indices of atmospheric carbon, deforestation, and species extinction all have taken an unsustainable “hockey-stick” shape within this period; 3  
• by a conservative estimate, nearly 5% of the world’s population consumes 35% of the world’s resources, 4  which means if we all lived like modern Westerners, 80% of humans on earth would need a different planet, so secular modernity is the road to massive extermination of entire peoples, regions, and cultures;
• and no, the main culprit is not population growth but lifestyle. To understand this, note that starting in 1890 the world population over a century multiplied by 4, but water use by 9, world economy by 14, and energy use by 16. 5  

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Ethical questions.

I have been sent only to perfect noble traits of character . 6

• “I have come not to invent but only to perfect good character.”
• "I have come for no other purpose but to complete noble character traits."
• by giving these virtues the right purpose or teleology: Allah Most High; 
• by providing a higher and lasting level of motivation; and 
• by providing the right meaning and balance among competing values through the revealed Law, the Shariah.

Philosophy and its limits

It is a distinctive feature of the social and cultural order that we inhabit that disagreements over central moral issues are peculiarly unsettleable. 17  

How were we able to drink up the sea? Who gave us the sponge to wipe away the entire horizon? What did we do when we unchained this earth from its sun? … Is there still any up or down? Are we not straying as through an infinite nothing? … God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him. 21

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Have you seen he who has taken as his god his own desire: Allah has sent him astray knowingly, setting a seal upon his hearing and his heart, and putting over his vision a veil? So who will guide him after Allah? Will, then, you not heed!? (45:23)

Why must revelation guide our ethics? Hitler also had ethics!

Following right ( fiṭrī ) reason, is god’s command arbitrary or rational and ethical shariah commands goodness and justice.

He will enjoin on them that which is right and forbid them from that which is wrong, making lawful for them all good things and prohibiting for them only the foul; relieving them of their burden and the fetters that they used to wear. Then those who believe in him, and honor him, and help him, and follow the light which is sent down with him, they are the successful ones. (7:157)

Verily, the Shariah is founded upon wisdom and welfare for the servants in this life and the afterlife. In its entirety it is justice, mercy, benefit, and wisdom. Every matter which abandons justice for tyranny, mercy for cruelty, benefit for corruption, and wisdom for foolishness is not a part of the Shariah even if it was introduced therein through an interpretation. 35

We only feed you for the pleasure of Allah, wanting neither reward nor gratitude in return (76:9).

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Disclaimer: The views, opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed in these papers and articles are strictly those of the authors. Furthermore, Yaqeen does not endorse any of the personal views of the authors on any platform. Our team is diverse on all fronts, allowing for constant, enriching dialogue that helps us produce high-quality research.

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6 Common Leadership Styles — and How to Decide Which to Use When

• Rebecca Knight

Being a great leader means recognizing that different circumstances call for different approaches.

Research suggests that the most effective leaders adapt their style to different circumstances — be it a change in setting, a shift in organizational dynamics, or a turn in the business cycle. But what if you feel like you’re not equipped to take on a new and different leadership style — let alone more than one? In this article, the author outlines the six leadership styles Daniel Goleman first introduced in his 2000 HBR article, “Leadership That Gets Results,” and explains when to use each one. The good news is that personality is not destiny. Even if you’re naturally introverted or you tend to be driven by data and analysis rather than emotion, you can still learn how to adapt different leadership styles to organize, motivate, and direct your team.

Much has been written about common leadership styles and how to identify the right style for you, whether it’s transactional or transformational, bureaucratic or laissez-faire. But according to Daniel Goleman, a psychologist best known for his work on emotional intelligence, “Being a great leader means recognizing that different circumstances may call for different approaches.”

• RK Rebecca Knight is a journalist who writes about all things related to the changing nature of careers and the workplace. Her essays and reported stories have been featured in The Boston Globe, Business Insider, The New York Times, BBC, and The Christian Science Monitor. She was shortlisted as a Reuters Institute Fellow at Oxford University in 2023. Earlier in her career, she spent a decade as an editor and reporter at the Financial Times in New York, London, and Boston.

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NPR defends its journalism after senior editor says it has lost the public's trust

David Folkenflik

NPR is defending its journalism and integrity after a senior editor wrote an essay accusing it of losing the public's trust. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

NPR is defending its journalism and integrity after a senior editor wrote an essay accusing it of losing the public's trust.

NPR's top news executive defended its journalism and its commitment to reflecting a diverse array of views on Tuesday after a senior NPR editor wrote a broad critique of how the network has covered some of the most important stories of the age.

"An open-minded spirit no longer exists within NPR, and now, predictably, we don't have an audience that reflects America," writes Uri Berliner.

A strategic emphasis on diversity and inclusion on the basis of race, ethnicity and sexual orientation, promoted by NPR's former CEO, John Lansing, has fed "the absence of viewpoint diversity," Berliner writes.

NPR's chief news executive, Edith Chapin, wrote in a memo to staff Tuesday afternoon that she and the news leadership team strongly reject Berliner's assessment.

"We're proud to stand behind the exceptional work that our desks and shows do to cover a wide range of challenging stories," she wrote. "We believe that inclusion — among our staff, with our sourcing, and in our overall coverage — is critical to telling the nuanced stories of this country and our world."

NPR names tech executive Katherine Maher to lead in turbulent era

She added, "None of our work is above scrutiny or critique. We must have vigorous discussions in the newsroom about how we serve the public as a whole."

A spokesperson for NPR said Chapin, who also serves as the network's chief content officer, would have no further comment.

Praised by NPR's critics

Berliner is a senior editor on NPR's Business Desk. (Disclosure: I, too, am part of the Business Desk, and Berliner has edited many of my past stories. He did not see any version of this article or participate in its preparation before it was posted publicly.)

Berliner's essay , titled "I've Been at NPR for 25 years. Here's How We Lost America's Trust," was published by The Free Press, a website that has welcomed journalists who have concluded that mainstream news outlets have become reflexively liberal.

Berliner writes that as a Subaru-driving, Sarah Lawrence College graduate who "was raised by a lesbian peace activist mother ," he fits the mold of a loyal NPR fan.

Yet Berliner says NPR's news coverage has fallen short on some of the most controversial stories of recent years, from the question of whether former President Donald Trump colluded with Russia in the 2016 election, to the origins of the virus that causes COVID-19, to the significance and provenance of emails leaked from a laptop owned by Hunter Biden weeks before the 2020 election. In addition, he blasted NPR's coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

On each of these stories, Berliner asserts, NPR has suffered from groupthink due to too little diversity of viewpoints in the newsroom.

The essay ricocheted Tuesday around conservative media , with some labeling Berliner a whistleblower . Others picked it up on social media, including Elon Musk, who has lambasted NPR for leaving his social media site, X. (Musk emailed another NPR reporter a link to Berliner's article with a gibe that the reporter was a "quisling" — a World War II reference to someone who collaborates with the enemy.)

When asked for further comment late Tuesday, Berliner declined, saying the essay spoke for itself.

The arguments he raises — and counters — have percolated across U.S. newsrooms in recent years. The #MeToo sexual harassment scandals of 2016 and 2017 forced newsrooms to listen to and heed more junior colleagues. The social justice movement prompted by the killing of George Floyd in 2020 inspired a reckoning in many places. Newsroom leaders often appeared to stand on shaky ground.

Leaders at many newsrooms, including top editors at The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times , lost their jobs. Legendary Washington Post Executive Editor Martin Baron wrote in his memoir that he feared his bonds with the staff were "frayed beyond repair," especially over the degree of self-expression his journalists expected to exert on social media, before he decided to step down in early 2021.

Since then, Baron and others — including leaders of some of these newsrooms — have suggested that the pendulum has swung too far.

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Legendary editor marty baron describes his 'collision of power' with trump and bezos.

New York Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger warned last year against journalists embracing a stance of what he calls "one-side-ism": "where journalists are demonstrating that they're on the side of the righteous."

"I really think that that can create blind spots and echo chambers," he said.

Internal arguments at The Times over the strength of its reporting on accusations that Hamas engaged in sexual assaults as part of a strategy for its Oct. 7 attack on Israel erupted publicly . The paper conducted an investigation to determine the source of a leak over a planned episode of the paper's podcast The Daily on the subject, which months later has not been released. The newsroom guild accused the paper of "targeted interrogation" of journalists of Middle Eastern descent.

Heated pushback in NPR's newsroom

Given Berliner's account of private conversations, several NPR journalists question whether they can now trust him with unguarded assessments about stories in real time. Others express frustration that he had not sought out comment in advance of publication. Berliner acknowledged to me that for this story, he did not seek NPR's approval to publish the piece, nor did he give the network advance notice.

Some of Berliner's NPR colleagues are responding heatedly. Fernando Alfonso, a senior supervising editor for digital news, wrote that he wholeheartedly rejected Berliner's critique of the coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict, for which NPR's journalists, like their peers, periodically put themselves at risk.

Alfonso also took issue with Berliner's concern over the focus on diversity at NPR.

"As a person of color who has often worked in newsrooms with little to no people who look like me, the efforts NPR has made to diversify its workforce and its sources are unique and appropriate given the news industry's long-standing lack of diversity," Alfonso says. "These efforts should be celebrated and not denigrated as Uri has done."

After this story was first published, Berliner contested Alfonso's characterization, saying his criticism of NPR is about the lack of diversity of viewpoints, not its diversity itself.

"I never criticized NPR's priority of achieving a more diverse workforce in terms of race, ethnicity and sexual orientation. I have not 'denigrated' NPR's newsroom diversity goals," Berliner said. "That's wrong."

Questions of diversity

Under former CEO John Lansing, NPR made increasing diversity, both of its staff and its audience, its "North Star" mission. Berliner says in the essay that NPR failed to consider broader diversity of viewpoint, noting, "In D.C., where NPR is headquartered and many of us live, I found 87 registered Democrats working in editorial positions and zero Republicans."

Berliner cited audience estimates that suggested a concurrent falloff in listening by Republicans. (The number of people listening to NPR broadcasts and terrestrial radio broadly has declined since the start of the pandemic.)

Former NPR vice president for news and ombudsman Jeffrey Dvorkin tweeted , "I know Uri. He's not wrong."

Others questioned Berliner's logic. "This probably gets causality somewhat backward," tweeted Semafor Washington editor Jordan Weissmann . "I'd guess that a lot of NPR listeners who voted for [Mitt] Romney have changed how they identify politically."

Similarly, Nieman Lab founder Joshua Benton suggested the rise of Trump alienated many NPR-appreciating Republicans from the GOP.

In recent years, NPR has greatly enhanced the percentage of people of color in its workforce and its executive ranks. Four out of 10 staffers are people of color; nearly half of NPR's leadership team identifies as Black, Asian or Latino.

"The philosophy is: Do you want to serve all of America and make sure it sounds like all of America, or not?" Lansing, who stepped down last month, says in response to Berliner's piece. "I'd welcome the argument against that."

"On radio, we were really lagging in our representation of an audience that makes us look like what America looks like today," Lansing says. The U.S. looks and sounds a lot different than it did in 1971, when NPR's first show was broadcast, Lansing says.

A network spokesperson says new NPR CEO Katherine Maher supports Chapin and her response to Berliner's critique.

The spokesperson says that Maher "believes that it's a healthy thing for a public service newsroom to engage in rigorous consideration of the needs of our audiences, including where we serve our mission well and where we can serve it better."

Disclosure: This story was reported and written by NPR Media Correspondent David Folkenflik and edited by Deputy Business Editor Emily Kopp and Managing Editor Gerry Holmes. Under NPR's protocol for reporting on itself, no NPR corporate official or news executive reviewed this story before it was posted publicly.

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The Problem With Saying ‘Sex Assigned at Birth’

By Alex Byrne and Carole K. Hooven

Mr. Byrne is a philosopher and the author of “Trouble With Gender: Sex Facts, Gender Fictions.” Ms. Hooven is an evolutionary biologist and the author of “T: The Story of Testosterone, the Hormone That Dominates and Divides Us.”

As you may have noticed, “sex” is out, and “sex assigned at birth” is in. Instead of asking for a person’s sex, some medical and camp forms these days ask for “sex assigned at birth” or “assigned sex” (often in addition to gender identity). The American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association endorse this terminology; its use has also exploded in academic articles. The Cleveland Clinic’s online glossary of diseases and conditions tells us that the “inability to achieve or maintain an erection” is a symptom of sexual dysfunction, not in “males,” but in “people assigned male at birth.”

This trend began around a decade ago, part of an increasing emphasis in society on emotional comfort and insulation from offense — what some have called “ safetyism .” “Sex” is now often seen as a biased or insensitive word because it may fail to reflect how people identify themselves. One reason for the adoption of “assigned sex,” therefore, is that it supplies respectful euphemisms, softening what to some nonbinary and transgender people, among others, can feel like a harsh biological reality. Saying that someone was “assigned female at birth” is taken to be an indirect and more polite way of communicating that the person is biologically female. The terminology can also function to signal solidarity with trans and nonbinary people, as well as convey the radical idea that our traditional understanding of sex is outdated.

The shift to “sex assigned at birth” may be well intentioned, but it is not progress. We are not against politeness or expressions of solidarity, but “sex assigned at birth” can confuse people and creates doubt about a biological fact when there shouldn’t be any. Nor is the phrase called for because our traditional understanding of sex needs correcting — it doesn’t.

This matters because sex matters. Sex is a fundamental biological feature with significant consequences for our species, so there are costs to encouraging misconceptions about it.

Sex matters for health, safety and social policy and interacts in complicated ways with culture. Women are nearly twice as likely as men to experience harmful side effects from drugs, a problem that may be ameliorated by reducing drug doses for females. Males, meanwhile, are more likely to die from Covid-19 and cancer, and commit the vast majority of homicides and sexual assaults . We aren’t suggesting that “assigned sex” will increase the death toll. However, terminology about important matters should be as clear as possible.

More generally, the interaction between sex and human culture is crucial to understanding psychological and physical differences between boys and girls, men and women. We cannot have such understanding unless we know what sex is, which means having the linguistic tools necessary to discuss it. The Associated Press cautions journalists that describing women as “female” may be objectionable because “it can be seen as emphasizing biology,” but sometimes biology is highly relevant. The heated debate about transgender women participating in female sports is an example ; whatever view one takes on the matter, biologically driven athletic differences between the sexes are real.

When influential organizations and individuals promote “sex assigned at birth,” they are encouraging a culture in which citizens can be shamed for using words like “sex,” “male” and “female” that are familiar to everyone in society, as well as necessary to discuss the implications of sex. This is not the usual kind of censoriousness, which discourages the public endorsement of certain opinions. It is more subtle, repressing the very vocabulary needed to discuss the opinions in the first place.

A proponent of the new language may object, arguing that sex is not being avoided, but merely addressed and described with greater empathy. The introduction of euphemisms to ease uncomfortable associations with old words happens all the time — for instance “plus sized” as a replacement for “overweight.” Admittedly, the effects may be short-lived , because euphemisms themselves often become offensive, and indeed “larger-bodied” is now often preferred to “plus sized.” But what’s the harm? No one gets confused, and the euphemisms allow us to express extra sensitivity. Some see “sex assigned at birth” in the same positive light: It’s a way of talking about sex that is gender-affirming and inclusive .

The problem is that “sex assigned at birth”— unlike “larger-bodied”— is very misleading. Saying that someone was “assigned female at birth” suggests that the person’s sex is at best a matter of educated guesswork. “Assigned” can connote arbitrariness — as in “assigned classroom seating” — and so “sex assigned at birth” can also suggest that there is no objective reality behind “male” and “female,” no biological categories to which the words refer.

Contrary to what we might assume, avoiding “sex” doesn’t serve the cause of inclusivity: not speaking plainly about males and females is patronizing. We sometimes sugarcoat the biological facts for children, but competent adults deserve straight talk. Nor are circumlocutions needed to secure personal protections and rights, including transgender rights. In the Supreme Court’s Bostock v. Clayton County decision in 2020, which outlawed workplace discrimination against gay and transgender people, Justice Neil Gorsuch used “sex,” not “sex assigned at birth.”

A more radical proponent of “assigned sex” will object that the very idea of sex as a biological fact is suspect. According to this view — associated with the French philosopher Michel Foucault and, more recently, the American philosopher Judith Butler — sex is somehow a cultural production, the result of labeling babies male or female. “Sex assigned at birth” should therefore be preferred over “sex,” not because it is more polite, but because it is more accurate.

This position tacitly assumes that humans are exempt from the natural order. If only! Alas, we are animals. Sexed organisms were present on Earth at least a billion years ago, and males and females would have been around even if humans had never evolved. Sex is not in any sense the result of linguistic ceremonies in the delivery room or other cultural practices. Lonesome George, the long-lived Galápagos giant tortoise , was male. He was not assigned male at birth — or rather, in George’s case, at hatching. A baby abandoned at birth may not have been assigned male or female by anyone, yet the baby still has a sex. Despite the confusion sown by some scholars, we can be confident that the sex binary is not a human invention.

Another downside of “assigned sex” is that it biases the conversation away from established biological facts and infuses it with a sociopolitical agenda, which only serves to intensify social and political divisions. We need shared language that can help us clearly state opinions and develop the best policies on medical, social and legal issues. That shared language is the starting point for mutual understanding and democratic deliberation, even if strong disagreement remains.

What can be done? The ascendance of “sex assigned at birth” is not an example of unhurried and organic linguistic change. As recently as 2012 The New York Times reported on the new fashion for gender-reveal parties, “during which expectant parents share the moment they discover their baby’s sex.” In the intervening decade, sex has gone from being “discovered” to “assigned” because so many authorities insisted on the new usage. In the face of organic change, resistance is usually futile. Fortunately, a trend that is imposed top-down is often easier to reverse.

Admittedly, no one individual, or even a small group, can turn the lumbering ship of English around. But if professional organizations change their style guides and glossaries, we can expect that their members will largely follow suit. And organizations in turn respond to lobbying from their members. Journalists, medical professionals, academics and others have the collective power to restore language that more faithfully reflects reality. We will have to wait for them to do that.

Meanwhile, we can each apply Strunk and White’s famous advice in “The Elements of Style” to “sex assigned at birth”: omit needless words.

Alex Byrne is a professor of philosophy at M.I.T. and the author of “Trouble With Gender: Sex Facts, Gender Fictions.” Carole K. Hooven is an evolutionary biologist, a nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, an associate in the Harvard psychology department, and the author of “T: The Story of Testosterone, the Hormone That Dominates and Divides Us.”

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

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Gen Z's fading dream

Human influencers are being replaced by artificial intelligence — and maybe that's a good thing.

More than half of Gen Zers want to be full-time influencers, a recent Morning Consult poll found, and it's not hard to see why. They've grown up watching their peers on YouTube film makeup tutorials, narrate their "Fortnite" games, and explain money . It's both where they live their lives and where they learn about the world. Plus, the career path sounds like a dream: You get to be your own boss, you can make more than you could at a traditional job, and you just have to be good on camera. Success stories of influencers making millions of dollars have only galvanized the generation.

"Gen Z explicitly wants to become influencers, are trained to become influencers, do camps to become influencers, strategize in a variety of ways to become an influencer," Angèle Christin, a professor at Stanford studying the influencer industry, told me.

A decade ago, many successful influencers stumbled into fame ; they were just regular people sharing about their lives or showcasing a niche skill when they suddenly found themselves with a huge audience and brands desperate to work with them. Anyone could strike it lucky at any time. But over the past several years, the influencer economy has shifted. Gone are the days when casual posting could suddenly turn into a lucrative career. On top of the work being an influencer requires, the competition gets tougher each day as more people vie for fame.

To make matters worse, influencer wannabes aren't competing only with humans — they're soon going to be competing with artificial intelligence. Advancements in AI tech have given birth to an industry of AI influencers , and major companies are beginning to show interest in their far more cost-effective approach to marketing. And who can really compete with that?

The influencer market is thoroughly saturated, Nikita Baklanov, an analyst at the influencer-marketing company HypeAuditor, said. Out of Instagram's some 2 billion monthly active users, "only 800,000 accounts have over 100,000 followers," he said, citing his company's research. That's less than 1% of accounts — but still a lot of accounts. And the number is growing.

In a crowded field, standing out takes work. Julia Broome, a social-media manager for influencers and celebrities, is already seeing the impact on longtime influencers. "Creators that were able to get a big buzz or get a huge following back in the day, they're experiencing some drop-off," she said.

Today, most influencers need to have a variety of revenue streams to stay financially viable, Baklanov said. They need to offer subscriptions, create their own merch, or sell a course. Increasingly, they need to exist beyond social media. "Platforms keep changing. The algorithms keep on changing. The formats keep on changing. And at some point, the influencers realize that they have to build a loyal audience, and they have to take that audience outside of social-media platforms," Christin, the Stanford professor, told me. That means setting up a podcast, running events, or creating a newsletter.

With tools like the AI image generator Midjourney and OpenAI's forthcoming Sora, creating content is becoming much-more affordable.

A Wall Street Journal article from 2021 suggested that the chances of making enough money from TikTok influencing for it to be an at least five-year career were less than 0.0001%. Only 100 people out of more than 1 million will succeed.

As the career path slips further out of reach, some people are turning to creating user-generated content for brands, rather than for their own audiences. Broome told me she'd seen a "big surge in UGC creators," who come at a much-lower cost to brands than traditional influencers. For creators, it's a nice way to make some money, but if your dream is to call your own shots for your own fan community, it's not a good sign. And now AI is poised to be another threat to job opportunities.

In 2016, Miquela Sousa, aka Lil Miquela , was born, as a fully formed Brazilian American 19-year-old. With 2.7 million followers on Instagram Miquela has been reported to rake in over $10 million a year in brand deals, with campaigns for Prada and Calvin Klein. She, however, is not a real person.

She is one of roughly 200 virtual influencers, according to Virtual Humans, a site that tracks these faux influencers, fueled by advanced motion graphics and a sizable team of people. Along with others, like Imma , who gets millions of views on TikTok, and Shudu , a virtual model, she proved people were willing to engage with someone who wasn't exactly real.

Miquela's success didn't spark a virtual-influencer revolution, but that was largely because of cost — human influencers were still cheaper. In the past couple of years, however, AI has advanced enough to make digital influencers much easier to create and run. With tools like the AI image generator Midjourney and OpenAI's forthcoming Sora , which makes extremely realistic videos from text prompts, creating content is becoming much-more affordable. "It costs almost nothing," Baklanov of HypeAuditor said. "And they can actually duplicate it in different languages."

Companies have been quick to capitalize on the potential. Late last year, Meta announced "a universe of characters," fueled by AI, with Instagram and Facebook accounts you could message with. "We've been creating AIs that have more personality, opinions, and interests, and are a bit more fun to interact with," the announcement said. An AI-model agency called The Clueless launched last year with two models. The founder told Euronews, "We did it so that we could make a better living and not be dependent on other people who have egos." Also last year, the AI-influencer company 1337 emerged from startup stealth mode with $4 million in backing. It has built dozens of AI entities each with niche interests, intricate backstories, and their own Spotify playlists .

Aurora is a 24-year-old climate-crisis activist on a mission to preserve Antarctica. Ezra , a 20-year-old intellectual studying at Oxford, likes hanging out at flea markets and cozy cafés. Wai is a 21-year-old abstract artist and sports enthusiast who's opened an art school for young talent.

Jenny Dearing, the company's cofounder and CEO, has been busy selecting content creators who can shape the behaviors of these entities via prompts. Once paired with a person to run things, each AI influencer will create posts and videos and start interacting with its audience. The AI learns from each interaction and uses the data that's gathered to become more engaging. It's no problem for an AI persona to respond to every comment or question it receives, and turn that into instant feedback for whoever is running the show.

This model of influencing requires far less time from real people, and it's particularly suited to those who are interested in influencing but don't want to put their own lives up for consumption. "For us, the long game is enabling more and more creators and brands to come in, create their own entity, manage that entity, advocate for that entity, and evolve and grow them over time," Dearing said.

Does it matter that an influencer is a human using AI tools or an AI character guided by a human? Either way, they are trying to sell us something.

For brands, being able to manage a consistent and engaging social-media presence at a low cost is an attractive pitch — and some have already expressed interest, Dearing told me. She sees AI influencers being used to provide a deep level of information, support, and guidance on brands and products. "Product placement is such a tiny potential of the future," she said. "For us, it's really a lot of knowledge exchange."

It will take time to see whether AI personas catch on , but the initial shift spells trouble for the future of influencing. Dearing doesn't think traditional influencers will disappear, but she thinks a shift toward AI ones is possible. "I see both scenarios existing for some period of time," she said. "What that balance looks like, who knows?" She added: "Over time, maybe it's an 80-20 where brands get really excited about having that control" and human influencers make up a smaller portion of the budget.

Do AI influencers really stand a chance at building trust with an audience? Most marketing experts say that what audiences really want on social media is authenticity . How you define that is up for debate, but it's clear that an AI-generated influencer is going to raise some eyebrows. After all, if a computer animation is promoting a new skincare product, you probably wouldn't trust it as much as you would a human influencer swearing it was life-changing. On the flip side, though, anyone who has found themself apologizing to ChatGPT knows exactly how quickly we start to see AI as human.

A 2020 paper in the Journal of Advertising found that AI influencers "can produce positive brand benefits similar to those produced by human celebrity endorsers." But it also found that when things went wrong with an AI influencer, there was similar reputational brand damage. There's potential for financial harm, too: Earlier this year, an Air Canada AI chatbot gave incorrect information about a discount to a customer. A tribunal ruled that the company was bound by that and had to provide a refund. A study in the European Journal of Marketing found that consumers were just as likely to follow an AI influencer as a human influencer but that they didn't trust the AI influencer as much. They were, however, more likely to talk with others about the AI influencer, which could turn out to be a positive for brands.

The trust question may already be moot, though. As AI chatbots have become more commonplace, most of us are already using them regularly. Chatbots are used for healthcare support, for therapy , and to warn teens of the dangers of too much social media — how different is an AI influencer, really? Was the Air Canada customer wrong to trust the AI bot's information? Clearly, the court didn't think so.

You could even argue that there's something more authentic about a brand using an AI entity to market itself and engage with people than a human turning themself into a brand to appeal to the algorithmic robots of a social-media platform. We already know that influencers carefully craft their presentation, often with a manager or coach. Does it matter that an influencer is a human using AI tools or an AI character guided by a human? Either way, they are trying to sell us something.

The social-media-management platform Hootsuite's 2024 Social Media Trends report said: "The most successful brands will redefine 'authenticity.'" The focus won't be on who is creating the content but on whether the content is compelling. As Dearing sees it, we're moving toward an information-driven experience. "Ultimately, these influencers become a really lovely visual way to engage on social platforms that are more knowledge-based," she said.

Some experts have a significantly more pessimistic take: Eric Schmidt, a former Google CEO, and Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist and author, wrote last year about the potential for "skillful manipulation of people by AI super-influencers." This would be possible, they suggested, by the potential for generative AI to be highly personalized to individual wants, needs, and interests. AI has also been used to create deepfakes of celebrities and influencers that can damage their reputations. Already, there's plenty of interest from marketers in AI's ability to exploit consumer cognitive biases. Essentially providing marketers with a highly targeted, souped-up version of the most effective human influencers.

If AI does catch on in the influencer world, Gen Z and Gen Alpha will have an even more challenging time striking influencer gold. What holds value online is already starting to undergo a fundamental shift, and influence will be up for grabs.

Clem De Pressigny is a   freelance writer and editor, and was previously the editorial director of i-D magazine. She covers the internet and technology, the climate crisis, and culture.

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