New York Times columnist David Brooks discussed the “inborn nature” of infants and how their social and cooperative nature serves as a starting point for character development during an event at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture at the University of Virginia this spring.

Brooks shared his views on character development with dozens of school leaders—from public, independent, private, religious, and other types of schools—developing character education programs across the United States.

“We’re social egotists,” Brooks said. “We’re cooperative creatures.”