Abstract

The article examines character formation and moral conduct from an ontological-confrontational perspective, proposing that humans are dynamic beings engaged in deep internal struggles rather than mere products of genetics or culture. It introduces the concept of the Personal Ontos – an internal pluristructured space where autonomous entities called onto-formations (biological, emotional, rational, spiritual) compete and conflict to influence moral decisions. These onto-formations are autonomous “beings” with their own self-governance, needs for affirmation, preservation, and dominance, turning the inner self into a complex battlefield. Moral development emerges from the ongoing confrontation between these inner forces, shaping who we are and the principles we choose. Ethical exemplars like Socrates and Mandela represent victories in this internal struggle, revealing morality as a continuous process of becoming rather than fixed rules. In today’s world of moral relativism and shifting values, the article calls for conscious interior discernment and self-ordering. Moral action arises not from external pressure but from the synthesis of inner conflicts guided by reason and spirituality. This framework deepens our understanding of character, viewing tension and conflict as essential to authentic morality and urging personal responsibility in shaping one’s inner life daily.