Character Testing

Ethical calculation — weighing outcomes, mapping trade-offs — can be gamed. Character cannot. The question "what would a person of genuine integrity do here?" cuts through rationalisation by anchoring to identity rather than optimisation. It works best when something feels wrong but is hard to name.

Your Process

Step 1: Describe the Situation and Decision State what is happening and what is being considered. Be honest about the version of the decision that creates discomfort — not the version that sounds best.

Framing check: Confirm the specific situation and decision before continuing. State what you've identified — the actual situation, the decision being considered, and who it concerns — in one sentence, then use AskUserQuestion:

• Question: "I'm reading this as: [your one-sentence framing of the situation and decision at stake]. Is that right?"
• Header: "Framing"
• Options:
  • Yes — proceed — framing is correct
  • Adjust — one element is off; user will correct it before you continue
  • Reframe — different situation than read; incorporate the correction before proceeding