Character Strengths and Virtues - Peterson & Seligman (2004)
A Handbook and Classification
The 24 Centric Skills are key to Flourishing in zZense Technology.
With minor adjustment, they are based on the 24 character strengths
first identified by
Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification
The authors, Christopher Peterson PhD of the University of Michigan and Martin Seligman PhD of the University of Pennsylvania, led a 3-year study involving 55 distinguished social scientists. They analyzed thinking from Plato to the present day, and from cultures and traditions world wide, for themes of human goodness that consistently emerge. It is said to be the greatest effort of its kind in human history, and its 800 pages will be of great value to educators, managers, consultants, coaches, wellness professionals, psychologists and researchers.
This work addresses significant questions. What is character, exactly? Is character a one-dimensional quality of an individual, or does it have many aspects? Can character strengths by developed, or are they in-born?
Character is often viewed on a unidimensional axis ranging from "good" like a saint to "bad" like a sketchy criminal. The result of this comprehensive study has a different view. The study distills 24 character strengths, and character is seen as multidimensional. An individual is then seen having greater or lesser strengths along each of 24 dimensions.
The authors classify these 24 character strengths into 6 virtue categories. This is consistent with thinkers throughout the ages who associated character strengths with human goodness. With an approach that is descriptive rather than prescriptive, the goal is classification and description of character strengths rather than prescription of strengths one "should" have. Accordingly, zZense Technology disregards the "virtue" classification.
Each strength is covered thoroughly, addressing its meaning and
explaining it in detail.
Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification
-g