Nevertheless, he does a remarkable job in explaining why these books are detrimental, both to the individual and to society, as well as why this new (yet actually old) philosophy of the character ethic and interdependence will be good for both the soul and the culture. Almost all other bestselling self-help books, like The 4-Hour Workweek and How to Win Friends and Influence People, certainly fit into the category of the personality ethic, so Covey has a difficult mission to complete. The popular belief that independence is the highest goal in business is also a product of this "personality ethic " Covey, on the other hand, argues that independence is merely a step toward the final goal, which is interdependence (teamwork rather than acting as a lone wolf). We are fixated on our outward appearances, cultivating them while allowing our moral fabric to deteriorate from neglect. This "get-rich-quick" approach is appealing because it promises great results with little effort, which is extraordinarily effective marketing in the age of consumerism and labor-saving devices.Ĭovey argues that this "personality ethic" has infiltrated our culture and even our subconscious minds. World War I, however, marked a dramatic shift: self-help books shifted from this "character ethic" to a new phenomenon called the "personality ethic," a philosophy that focuses solely on improving a person's outward appearance, charm, and charisma in an attempt to achieve the results of the character ethic without all the hard work that accompanies a person's moral advancement. It's natural to trust an ethically sound person, so the benefits reaped by improving one's character are natural and unforced. In his research, Covey found that until the 1920s, books written for self-help and productivity focused on building up one's moral and ethical character, which in turn would yield results in the world of business and interpersonal interactions. Stephen Covey's most famous work is notably different from almost all other self-help books published in the last hundred years in that it directly attacks, condemns, and refutes them, all the while giving a plan to fix the problem caused by these self-help books. In light of the popularity of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, it's amazing how the exact philosophy it preaches against is still so rampant in today's culture. Written by people who wish to remain anonymous We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own. These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community.
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