the literature says that fear is the root of the disease. it works how and why. just list all the spiritual principlies of the program get the opposite and its a defect. honesty---dishonesty, willingness,----- unwillingness, open mindedness---closed mindedness, humility---big ego and so forth. i hope that helps. also the literature does not say that defects and short comings are different. they are used interchangeable so that is how i look at them. a defect and a shortcoming are one and the same. if anyone has any evidence to the contrary please let me know