WHAT IS CHARACTER?

Victor Bloom MD

Within the hues and cries of the current political debate, the question of character often comes up. In a speech to his alma mater law school, Vincent Foster said that character and reputation were everything, that without it a person has nothing of substance. Unfortunately, months later, he committed suicide, the timing of which seemed to indicate that he would rather die than be associated with a scandal. At the time it was 'Travelgate'. He was Hillary Rodham Clinton's mentor and they worked closely together evenings and weekends at the Rose Law Firm at the time that the Clinton marriage was 'rocky'.

Character does not require suicide if defects are exposed. Perhaps that is the oriental way, to save face. Here in the west, we are more compassionate and forgiving of human frailty. And so the controversy rages as the impeachment process rolls inexorably on, whether the errant behavior of the president is serious enough to deserve impeachment. Some urge the president to resign, to end the turmoil of the country. Others think that he should not give in, or else the constitutional balance and separation of powers would be violated. Still others think that censure is sufficient punishment. There is a difference of opinion in this country about the importance of character in the presidency, as the position holds so much power and influence.

We want a president whose character is worthy of trust. So it would be appropriate at this time to understand the underlying essentials of character. The highest degree of character carries with it traits of integrity, sincerity, honesty and responsibility. We know a few people with what appears to be unassailable character. But they are very few.

Integrity implies wholeness. The person's actions go with his words, promises are kept, there is no intention to deceive. It implies honesty--- the person means what he says and says what he means and does what he says he will do. There are no contradictions, inconsistencies or excessive ambivalences. Inner conflicts have been resolved, actions and words are clear and definite.

In recent memory, the president that had these attributes of sincerity, honesty and responsibility was Harry Truman, the man that dropped the bomb on Hiroshima. He agonized about it and decided it was necessary, and he ordered it, and shortly thereafter the worst war the world had ever known was over. He was sorry about the many civilians killed, but the alternative of a long drawn out land invasion would have been many times worse. He is famous for saying, "the buck stops here," and "if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen." He also threatened to punch in the nose a music critic who panned his daughter's debut recital. He was a man of one piece, and was respected and admired. We have not seen the likes of him since. His biographies reveal a strong bond with his wife, such that he never strayed. Only people of one mind, connected and together, are capable of true loyalty and devotion. Most of us have compartments in which there are opposites and inconsistencies. This is the basis of hypocrisy, in which one set of actions contradict another, or the person's words are not in keeping with his or her behavior.

For the most part, these inconsistencies and hypocrisies are unconscious, the person is not aware of them, even though many others are aware of flagrant contradictions. Some people are idolized at work, but they are horrendous at home. Others maintain a posture of fidelity while secretly committing adultery. Sociopaths lie without remorse and assume the role of penitent when that act is to their advantage.

Irrational behavior usually stems from pathologic 'splitting' or compartmentalizing mental organizations. People have been known to be honest and sincere in one area, lying and duplicitous in another. Some of these people are afflicted with a condition called, 'pathological narcissism', which means a superabundance of self-love, such that there is no care or consideration for the other person, the group, or the nation, itself. This unhealthy self-love is not to be confused with healthy narcissism, in which the self-love is adaptive, creative and constructive, which takes into account the feelings and needs of other people. People who take good care of themselves as well as others are manifesting healthy narcissism. We know who these people are, and hope to count ourselves among them.

The phenomenon of 'splitting' occurs during childhood, when the young person is beset by painful conditions, usually neglect and abuse of various kinds. Children are so susceptible to pain from feeling betrayed by parents and other family members that they must bury their feelings, their memories and parts of their souls.

Such people become themselves capable of great cruelty, without being aware of it. One of the patterns is seduction and abandonment, another is invitation and rejection. We know who these people are.

These are considerations to keep in mind while considering the nation's moral or constitutional crisis.

Dr. Bloom is Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Wayne State University School of Medicine. He is a member of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis and he welcomes comments and questions at his e-mail address: vbloom@comcast.net.