Listen Here
Dr. Benjamin Dolan
Professor of Biology and Director of Natural Areas and Plant Collections
Dolan@Findlay.edu
This column is part of a series published each week in the Pulse for the rest of the semester from the Watterson Institute for Ethical Leadership working group members.
Astronomers teach us that on the vernal equinox—the first day of spring—the sun passes directly above Earth’s equator in alignment with the constellation Pisces. This event marks the moment when daylight hours begin to surpass darkness. Throughout history, different cultures have attributed symbolic meaning to these celestial alignments. The constellation Pisces, with its imagery of two fish swimming in opposite directions, has often represented the difference between reality and imagination. This symbolism of contrasting elements—the empirical and the conceptual, knowledge and interpretation—serves as a fitting metaphor for the role of personal integrity in our lives, particularly in a world where mistrust, skepticism, and doubt are common reflexes.
New knowledge is continually created, modified, and shared. Scientists, artists, and creatives of all varieties continually push the boundaries of knowledge, and as they do, they are confronted with moral and ethical dilemmas that challenge the foundations upon which inquiry rests. When boundaries are crossed, we must continually demonstrate ethical behavior and personal responsibility to develop trust and pursue wisdom.
Throughout the arts and sciences, knowledge grows and evolves, and with this comes complex questions that are best assessed under a system of strong values. In biology, for example, genetic technologies challenge our view of right and wrong: what is possible versus what is just. In social and health care research, we balance the demands of unbiased experimental design with the humanity of research subjects. In environmental sciences, knowledge of our collective impacts on planet Earth demand actions that run counter to our growth-based economic systems. In communications and computing, new technologies challenge our concepts of sentience and human thought. Artists and creatives draw our attention to these issues through literature, art, and music, often shining necessary light on places where our actions contradict our values.
At the University of Findlay, where we work to equip students for meaningful lives and productive careers, and where we aspire to support students seeking to define their vocations, our official motto is Scientia, Libertas, et Religio. In the most basic, direct translation, this means knowledge, liberty, and religion. Interpreted differently, however, this could mean, ‘wisdom that empowers responsible choice within an ethical framework.’ This reflects our heritage as an institution grounded in liberal arts, with values expressed through a Judeo-Christian worldview. It is this context that provides the framework for teaching and modeling integrity. compassion, humility, and courage.
The purpose of our values-based education is not often articulated, yet it is commonly understood. Our values ground us in common goals, and those values evolve as we gain new insights. We are continually confronted with difficult decisions, and as our ability to influence each other and our communities expands, the necessity to reflect and carefully consider ethical implications is heightened. This requires us to intentionally model our values.
As members of the Findlay community, we are more than just neighbors occupying adjacent buildings and classrooms – we are a fellowship of scholars united by shared purpose. To uphold our values, we must continually make efforts to strengthen our relationships, make connections across disciplines, and learn beyond our fields of expertise. As our university concludes its merger exploration with another institution, we have an opportunity to reflect on how faithfully we embodied our values during this process and move forward with renewed confidence in our shared mission.
And as we progress as an institution in search of new models for learning or as individuals undertaking new directions after graduation, we will be confronted with questions that require us to lean on our values, seeking guidance to proceed with wisdom and morality. May we continue to be sustained by the courage to embrace new pursuits, the compassion to honor those we encounter, the humility to redirect our course when necessary, and the integrity to ensure our actions reflect our deepest values.
