ETHICS ACROSS THE CURRICULUM: A PRACTICE-BASED APPROACH, by Michael Boylan and James A. Donahue. Lexington Books (Lanham, Md., 2003). 150 pp.

Reviewed by Angela Pometto
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 12/4/03)

"Philosophy applies to all living persons on earth," said Dr. Michael Boylan, co-author of Ethics Across the Curriculum: A Practice-Based Approach and professor of philosophy at Marymount University in Arlington. In fact, philosophy "encourages theological pluralism," Boylan said. He refers to the understanding that a person’s religion does not directly affect the role of ethics in life. Whether Christian, Jewish or Muslim, the ethics of what is best to do as a human person remain the same. On the same note, whether a student studies English, biology, mathematics or computer science, ethics still apply.

Ethics Across the Curriculum describes practical methods for professors to encourage students to act ethically. When professors implement the ideas presented, they will be "raising the consciousness of ethics" by keeping it "foremost in people’s minds," Boylan said. The book addresses questions such as: How do professional choices reflect ideas of a good society? What ethical dilemmas are inherent in each field? How can one practice ethical decision-making in the classroom? It also lays out principles on how to choose an ethical theory and helps students realize they are responsible for that decision.

Based on a seminar conducted by Boylan and James A. Donahue, president and professor of Ethics at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkley, Calif., the book utilizes their unique talents. The chapters alternate between each author. Boylan covers the theoretical ethics, a world-view, overall theory, and Donahue touches on the theological aspects and delves into organizational ethics, putting the theory into practice. The end result is a practical, understandable guide for professors to raise student consciousness toward ethics in their field.

The theologian/philosopher team shines a colored light onto the classroom and is a reflection of an important balance between faith and reason that is seen in the Catholic tradition. Theology "speaks to the imaginative stand point," said Boylan referring to the fact that one must "believe" in order to understand theology. Philosophy on the other hand, "talks to a wider audience." Many of the theological presumptions are the same in philosophy only without the belief. It is an empirical knowledge of what one ought to do. Without the grounding in philosophy, religions can get too emotional, mystical and even anti-rational. "You can’t get around a person’s theology," Boylan explained, noting that even atheism can be considered a person’s theology. But this is why philosophy is so important. It acknowledges all the different religions and sees that in the end, all the ethics should look similar. If you have a group that ethically believes that murder is okay, then there is a problem. "Even when you differ on religious dialogue, ethics are about the same," he said.

Many other universities are also picking up on this concept and trying to place more ethics in their classrooms. Approximately 82 major research libraries across the country purchased the book. William Spohn, a professor at Santa Clara University said, "This well-crafted argument shows that ethics is not one voice on campus but the humane core of every discipline. It shows how every academic discipline and professional program is accountable to our humanity and the common good of society." He continued to remark that this book is "highly recommended" for those professors and administrators who aim to develop the whole student. The Society for Ethics Across the Curriculum, a group based at St. Edward’s College in Austin, sponsored a recent panel discussion on the book. Georgetown University, Youngstown University and Towson University have also jumped at the chance to start implementing the techniques described in the book.

Boylan enjoyed writing the book and sees it as part of his vocation as a teacher. "Teaching, service and scholarship" are the three aspects of a professor that should be met. There are different ways to accomplish these three ends, but Boylan believes it is important to get them done. "Just as humans are so different, so are each path," he said. He also related how important students must be to a professor. "You make a contract with students for life. You have to care for them," he said, referring to back the aim of the book.

To obtain a copy of Ethics Across the Curriculum, contact Lexington Books at 1-800-462-6420 or go to www.lexingtonbooks.com.