Ethicist Addresses Cadets During VMI's Convocation 
LEXINGTON, Va., Sept. 10, 2009 - When seeking the appropriate
speaker to kick off the 2009-10 academic year, the Virginia
Military Institute looked to its past. For an institution that has
long combined strong academic preparation with a co-curricular
program that emphasizes physical fitness, personal honor and
leadership, a leading author and moral philosopher seemed to be the
ideal choice.
Dr. Rushworth Kidder, president and founder of the Institute for
Global Ethics, focused his convocation address yesterday on the
importance of moral courage. In a speech entitled "Moral Courage:
the Guts of a Tough Decision," he described the characteristics of
morally courageous leaders - a high tolerance for ambiguity, public
exposure and personal risk - while emphasizing the role of
trust.
"Moral courage is being willing to endure significant danger for
the sake of your principles," said Kidder. "Envision a Venn diagram
where the circles represent principles, danger and endurance. Moral
courage exists at the intersection of those three things."
The author and former columnist for
The Christian Science Monitor
used the story of Viktor Pestov to demonstrate the value of moral
courage. A Russian of privilege, Pestov was a young man when he
learned that Russian tanks invaded Prague in 1968. The general
public was unaware of what was going on in the world around them,
and Pestov felt compelled to let his countrymen know what their
government was doing. He became a pamphleteer, spreading the news
covertly amid great danger. After 20 months of activity, Pestov was
caught and sentenced to five years in a Gulag.
"Viktor Pestov wasn't just courageous," said Kidder. "He
exhibited moral courage because he knew his actions would put him
in danger, and he was willing to take on risk and endure his
punishment."
In his many years as a journalist and author, and through his
work at the Institute for Global Ethics, Kidder has interviewed
hundreds of people about their beliefs and experiences.
"Everywhere you go and ask 'What are the most important moral
values?,' you get similar answers," said Kidder. "Honesty,
responsibility, respect, fairness and compassion are common
answers. There is no difference in the values held by men and women
or English speakers and not, those who are deeply religious and
those who are not religious."
Kidder told the Corps of Cadets that thanks to events like 9/11
and the recent financial crisis, the world is beginning to
understand the importance of character. While individual examples
of moral courage may seem small, moral courage is at the heart of
policy-making decisions, issues faced by the military and by
educators who face students who cheat.
He encouraged the Corps not only to embrace the concept of moral
courage, but also of teamwork. He cited a recent visit to the Maine
Maritime Academy where he witnessed new students having to work
together to properly steer their dories. Over time and with much
practice, the students will learn how to be successful, he
said.
"Leadership isn't about you taking charge; it's about unison and
working together," Kidder told the Corps. "The world is coming back
to where you have long been at VMI, and I thank you for weathering
the storm. Help us keep this dory going straight; we are drifting
as a nation, and we need you."
Kidder's appearance is part of VMI's Distinguished Speakers
Series, which brings to the 1,500 members of VMI's Corps of Cadets
key themes and issues of the day. The speakers in the series are
selected to broaden cadets' perspectives on international and
cultural issues, contemporary foreign and domestic matters,
leadership issues, moral-ethical questions, civic responsibilities
and other matters of importance in the modern world.
-VMI-
