In Search of Ethics: Conversations with Men and Women of Character

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: Based on our developmental experiences, we have adopted a set of values that guide our decision-making and actions. Interestingly, our actions and our espoused values are often out of sync -- it's as though we don't really believe that virtuous behavior is really the right way for us to achieve our goals.
This motivational and inspiring work offers compelling testimony that "success" in this life (as represented by: peace, justice, productivity, teamwork, contribution, etc) is best achieved through ethical conduct -- Good people, organizations, institutions, finish first.

Rating:
Summary: Searching Under the Lamppost
Review: Once upon a time, in the dark of night, a man lost a ring. A kindly woman went to help him find it. They sought the ring under a lamppost for a long time. Frustrated, the woman asked the man if he had, in fact, lost the ring under that lamppost. "Oh, no," said the man. "I lost it in that field over there." "Why aren't you looking there, then?" asked the exasperated woman. "Because there's no light there," responded the man. Len Marrella is, very clearly, a concerned citizen and a very decent man. But the book he's produced is disappointing and somewhat distressing. In conversations with a number of people, Mr. Marrella asks such questions as, "Would you march on Washington for a cause?" and "What makes you smile?" What he produces, finally, is a view of character which suggests that we are the architect of our character (5), that character is about deciding what's right and doing it (8), that the key lies in shared values (202), that conscience decides right from wrong (219), and that character "means having the courage of your convictions" (224). Along the way, Mr. Marrella tells exactly the wrong story about Peter Jennings (52); misunderstands a Shakespearean quotation (147); misspells the names of General Ridgway(181), of Heraclitus (190), of Francis Fukuyama (201), and of Kenneth Blanchard (201); confuses "tenet" with "tenant" (177); confuses "quote" with "quotation" (passim); isn't sure whether "ethics" and "media" are singular or plural; and doesn't know whether commas go inside or outside quotation marks. Much of this is a reflection upon the publisher, which ends the book by self-servingly appealing to readers to "call for a list of our authors/speakers/presenters/consultants." At least they did not say "editors." Mr. Marrella suggests that Army Values (173) can be used to solve numerous problems--his lamppost. But Army values were forced, as if by Procrustes, into the acronym LDRSHIP. The problem with the book is that there is so little concern with what lies in the "dark field" of objective morality, toward which, with Charles Colson's useful help, Mr. Marrella points (cf. pp. 228-229) but to which he never effectively goes (see, e.g., the encyclical "The Splendor of Truth," by Pope John Paul II). Conscience and character are NOT about doing what one THINKS is right; they are about doing what IS right. We do not self-appealingly DECIDE what is right; we DISCOVER what is right, by and through an informed conscience (Acts 24:16, Heb 13:18). Mr. Marrella offers repeated lists of bromides about morality; he seems not to understand that lists of core values or expressions of sentiment about doing good can be, and have been, used or abused by numerous tyrants. Communists and Nazis were, no doubt, sincere; and they had "shared values." It is all very well--and it IS important--to preach duty and honor and country, but it is not enough. For men and women of true character must ask the question of ends as well as of means. That Mr. Marrella would quote approvingly from Richard Rorty (75-76) indicates the confusion attending this very well-meaning but somewhat perplexed book. Ultimately character can and must be judged by the extent to which it conforms to just claims of Truth, and one's sense of worth comes from peace of soul (cf. Phil 4:7). This is a commendable effort by a very good man, but it fails because it's too breezy and too congested with undigested quotations. James Davison Hunter's book, "The Death of Character," is a key book about ethics and character unfortunately not even mentioned in Mr. Marrella's bibliography. Also very useful is Alfonso Gomez-Lobo's book "Morality and the Human Goods"; ch. 5 of Gomez-Lobo will prove very valuable to readers of Mr. Marrella's flawed, but still useful, volume.

Rating:
Summary: Shot in the Arm
Review: Prior to purchasing In Search of Ethics I read the reviews that appear on the Amazon.com site. I thought it interesting that one review was extremely negative and written with a critical tone of superiority and what also "appeared" to be contempt, yet ended with the phrase that it was "flawed, but still useful." That prompted me to wonder almost more about the reviewer than the book -- but I was able to snap myself back to reality. I've now finished the book (obviously an edition that lacked some of the physical flaws the reviewer had pointed out). My reaction is simple: why don't more people read this highly positive, encouraging, and respectfully written book? The people Len Marrella selected to be interviewed are an interesting mix of personalities (only some of whom I had heard of before reading the book). Their stories and comments did make me pause and think. It is obvious that Mr. Marrella isn't writing for think tank types -- but he is obviously writing for the educated ordinary person. Whether a parent, educator, manager, minister or rabbi, military leader, or coach, In Search of Ethics is a great read. I've heard that some high school ethics classes are using this book -- and to me that makes sense. A friend mentioned that she had seen it being used at a major corportion for which she consults. And a recent History Channel special on West Point featured the book (which is mandatory reading for incoming cadets). The fact that basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski (Duke Blue Devils) -- one of the busiest people in sports -- felt comfortable enough to sit down with the author and give him an interview is a testament to Mr. Marrella's dedication to issues of character and ethics. Overall, while not a tome by Diogenes or some redefinition of "ethics" by the likes of Bill Clinton, In Search of Ethics is a book for our time. It is worthy of your time. It might even give you a shot in the arm (an affirming boost) and encourage you to keep living the ethical life you've no doubt already been leading.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: Thank you so much to the author of this book. It's easy to read, fascinating, and so needed. Success does go hand in hand with high ethical standards (even if it doesn't always seem that way). And that doesn't just mean "playing by the rules"; that means living up to our own values and personal standards. I found myself re-reading sections and writing down quotes to share with others. I've also found myself being a better person as my actions are motivated by that higher standard. The stories shared and the "how-to" information about how we can each make a difference was wonderful. This is one of the very few books I would recommend to virtually everyone I know.