Josephson Challenges CBU Audiences to 'Be Better'

November 4, 2005 - Michael Josephson, renowned ethics advocate, author and speaker, urged California Baptist University faculty, staff, students and community members to hold one another accountable for any gaps "between the standards we profess and the actions we perform."   Josephson spoke November 3 at a series of four presentations on ethics sponsored on by the Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business at CBU. 

	Renowned ethicist Michael Josephson stressed the importance of accountablilty and morality during a lecture at California Baptist University on November 3, 2005. David Blair photo

Josephson, founder of the Josephson Institute of Ethics in Los Angeles, is the creator of the "Character Counts!" character-education movement that has taught millions of schoolchildren, athletes, and other constituent groups in the U.S. The program features Josephson's trademark "Six Pillars" for building character - trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship - as well as other tenets of ethical behavior.  His presentations at CBU centered on concern about ethical issues in business, politics, sports and religious organizations.

"In the United States, especially, we have created the disease of low expectations," Josephson said.  "We have come to believe it's not only okay to lie, but it is expected.  When a politician lies, for example, we say, 'So, what do you expect?'

"The Houston Unified School District admitted to lying about school statistics on crime in order to position themselves better politically, and yet no one lost their jobs," he noted.

Josephson also urged audience members not to "put on the moral blinders by ignoring things" that are difficult to face because they have ethical implications. 
"You can't avoid ethical responsibilities by ignoring them," Josephson said.

Josephson serves as President for "Character Counts!" and has grown The Josephson Institute of Ethics to a $4 million organization with more than 40 staff members.  The non-partisan, non-profit organization works to improve the ethical quality of society by advocating principled reasoning.  In addition to the Josephson lectures, the organization produces thousands or workshops and training sessions each year.