Tilghman leads ethical discussion

As part of the University's "Do the Right Thing" panel discussion series, President Tilghman served as a "guest ethicist" Thursday night.

Fielding questions from the crowd that gathered in the Mathey college common room, she explained her ethical perspective on a variety of issues.

Tilghman offered an ethical defense in response to a student's question concerning Dean Malkiel's new grading standard proposal.

She explained how Dean Malkiel was motivated by ethical issues to reevaluate grading policy to correct perceived inflation.

"There is a fundamental problem with the way grades are being distributed," Tilghman said. "It's an inherent issue of fairness."

The "disparate grading practices between natural science and humanities classes" have created a situation of inequality among majors, she said.

Another ethical concern with the current grading policy is the message this practice sends to students.

By rewarding A's too frequently, Tilghman was concerned that the University faculty was demonstrating a "dereliction of duty" and stifling student motivation to work hard.

The majority of the questions addressed general ethical concerns, however.

The discussion began when Paul Raushenbush, associate dean of religious life and organizer of the ethics series, asked Tilghman for the ethical response to seeing a homeless person on the street.

She explained how she did not have a general principle, but that she gives money some of the time when her "heart string gets pulled."

An audience member disagreed with Tilghman's approach. He explained how "his ethical father" always buys the homeless a sandwich.

Get the best of the ‘Prince’ delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe now »

Tilghman then reevaluated her previous comment and supported this second course of action.

Raushenbush added how this second type of response takes into account whether one's actions have consequences.

"With ethical dilemmas, we must consider whether our actions are going to have consequences," he said.

The ethical questions continued from the crowd, with University lecturer Russell Nieli asking Tilghman's opinion on granting exceptions when grading non-English students' papers.

While Tilghman argued that how well a student writes and how well they analyze the topic are "two separate issues," she admitted that it is "almost impossible to separate them."

Drew Frederick '07 was one student who attended the discussion. Frederick is a member of the Civic Values Task Force and was hoping to hear President Tilghman's opinion on "how you instill ethics in people."

While he didn't ask his question directly, Tilghman explained in another response hat "leadership" is essential in forming ethical communities.

The atmosphere at the question and answer session was relaxed and conversational. Tilghman and Raushenbush both asked for "open discussion" from the audience.

Roughly 30 students and faculty members attended the question and answer session in the Mathey College common room.