Character is defined as "the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual" according to the Oxford dictionary, while personality is "the combination of characteristics or qualities that form an individual's character". Hmm, so if we adopt these definitions, does that mean that it is the personality that makes up one's character?
I disagree.
Personality is simply a collection of personae and are masks that we pull out to protect ourselves as a a defence mechanism, so it is very much like a social role in a theatrical setting that acts as a make-believe for the audience. I am not saying that it is a sham and we are trying to decoy someone. And we certainly do not need to have theatrical training for this as we are all unconsciously doing it day in day out for survival purposes. Character, on the other hand, is our innate and acquired traits; characteristics that are formed by countless past experiences in this life span and beyond. If so, any relationship between genes, environment and the innate/acquired distinction will be far more complex than what we can apprehend or comprehend. To make things even more complicated, there is the fierce dichotomy between biological and metaphysical viewpoints. But concepts aside, what truly matters is: is the personality that you display in the public arena in harmony with your true character? Are you self-aware of your personality and character, and where they were born from? Are they are serving you or are you serving them?
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