Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Last week, FBI Special Agent Robert Herndon’s talk for the Sutton Ethics Lecture focused on fraud, bribery, embezzlement and deception in the white-collar arena, some of which strike particularly close to home — a pharmacist’s scheme to siphon medicine from cancer patients to line his pockets with $19 million.
After getting past the shock and revulsion from such stories, we wonder how such vile, repulsive humans can exist. Herndon’s message theorized how these breaches of trust originate in the minds of their perpetrators. He suggested that atrocities derive from the alignment of three elements: Presentation of opportunity, justification of their actions and possession of greed. When all these ingredients are present, and a strong set of moral standards is absent, bad things happen.
Though it seems impossible that these types of people were once aspiring professionals like the rest of us, we would be wise to acknowledge that they, too, were once decent human beings. How, then, did they stray so far from the moral path? It seems reasonable to suspect that their bad habits grew from humble origins. Herndon’s topic becomes relevant here: We regularly face opportunities to cheat, lie, steal, coerce and manipulate for personal advantage. Granted, the things that tempt us at this point in our lives will probably neither injure thousands of people nor make us extravagantly rich, but minor transgressions can quickly turn into habits that ensnare otherwise good people into lifestyles of depravity. Every time a person commits a questionable act, it becomes easier to do it again and to become callous to morals. This downward spiral continues until their face appears on the front page of the newspaper with a story about their utter corruption and immorality, all to the great embarrassment of their community and family. Thus, great offenses may grow from seemingly trivial ones.
There is hope. Our manner of conduct now will form the mold for decades to come. The habits we learn (and unlearn) will be the ones we still practice later. So, don’t merely consider the fact that the issue you’re grappling with is not of profound significance at this moment. Consider the fact that your slight aberration from principle may be the beginning of a long downward slide into the depths of dishonor.
Remember, even the most crooked people were once just regular people who thought they were basically honest and good. They never imagined they would one day be capable of carrying out the treachery that they have. We can’t make that same mistake. We need to realize that the potential exists within each of us and take measures to prevent it.
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