Cultivating Character with a Strong Sense of Self
By Dr. Evan Morse
Dr. Morse and Ms. Chaiet of Prepare Inc. lead boys in roleplaying strategies to combat stress.
I
n adolescence, boys enter an exciting yet vulnerable
period of rapid social and emotional development in
which they begin to form an independent identity as
they encounter the wider world. Students at Saint David’s
are faced with a very large world as both digital natives and
residents of a global metropolis. In recognition of these
challenges, Saint David’s has continued to refine the So-
phrosyne program. Sophrosyne is a values-centered course
that helps boys navigate social, health, and wellness issues
while developing a strong sense of self. In the later years, the
classes focus on particular risk factors and strategies, but the
extension of the program into the Lower School reflects that
the true core of the program is character education. In every
grade level, Sophrosyne is an opportunity for self-reflection
on virtues like empathy, respect, and friendship.
As a young program, Sophrosyne continues to expand, now
spanning First through Eighth Grade. Despite its newness,
the boys have begun to confidently claim the once unfamiliar
term as their own. On my first day, one boy assuredly
defined Sophrosyne for the class as “knowing yourself, and
knowing what’s good for you.” I found this to be an excellent
interpretation of a difficult-to-translate ancient Greek word
that combines the concepts of good health, temperance,
self-awareness, and excellence of character. “Sophrosyne”
perfectly expresses the idea of a balanced program of character
education. Fundamentally, this Greek moral framework
conveys that right action is the result of self-knowledge.
Further, since the Greek philosophical tradition does not
draw a strong distinction between the body, mind, and soul,
the term Sophrosyne naturally links bodily and mental health
“Boys are guided to consciously reflect on their own feelings, needs, and
motivations and then to articulate this knowledge by appropriating the
values of Saint David’s for themselves.”
18 • Saint David’s Magazine