Journalist David Brooks Delivers Inaugural Blackburn Lecture

New York Times columnist calls for a return to a formula for building character.

February 26, 2014

Blackburn 2014

University Trustee Richard W. Blackburn, J.D. ’67, New York Times columnist David Brooks and School of Business Interim Dean D. Christopher Kayes discussed modern morality at the inaugural lecture. Photo Credit: Amanda Lomax

By Brittney Dunkins

Veteran journalist David Brooks charged students to strive equally for outer and inner success using a formula for building character at the Richard Blackburn Endowed Lecture on Civility and Integrity hosted by the George Washington University School of Business on Tuesday.

A best-selling author, New York Times columnist and news host, Mr. Brooks gave the inaugural address to students, faculty, alumni and trustees at Lisner Auditorium.

“One of the four core pillars of our strategic plan combines citizenship and leadership, values espoused by our namesake George Washington,” University President Steven Knapp said. “Today’s lecture is closely tied both to this core pillar and to our founder’s legacy.”  

The Blackburn lecture was endowed by University Trustee Richard W. Blackburn, J.D. ’67, in 2013 to honor the spirit of integrity exemplified by George Washington’s “Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation,” a guide to honorable character developed by the first president.

It serves as the signature capstone for the School of Business’s First Year Development Program, a curriculum developed for first-year GWSB undergraduate students that focuses on academic integrity, ethics, communication, self-reflection, leadership and career development.

“Trust is essential for success in life,” Mr. Blackburn said. “Trust gives us permission to share our ideas with other people, and civility and integrity enable us to create, build and sustain trust.”

Mr. Brooks, who was praised for his dedication to these ideals, looked to past leaders of the “greatest generation” such as President Dwight D. Eisenhower and workers’ rights activist Francis Perkins as examples of moral rectitude.

Their integrity was the product of a culture that prioritized self-effacement over pride in achievement, he said.

“Today when you go to university graduations people tell you to discover your passions, find out what is inside of you and make your life about that,” Mr. Brooks said. “While that is one way to organize a life, what was common in the time of Francis Perkins was not to ask what do I want from life, but what does life want from me.”

He cited numerous studies that examine the correlation between the rise of individualistic lifestyles and increases in consumption, debt and polarization. These trends are paired with decreases in social trust and moral articulateness.

Mr. Brooks encouraged students to view life as a means to engage with an inner struggle for good character, outlining a formula that echoed the values of previous generations.

He urged the audience to be aware of the duality of human nature, which is both selfish and giving; to recognize pride as the central vice and humility as the central virtue; and to struggle against their inner weaknesses.

Mr. Brooks also advised the crowd to avoid complete self-reliance in determining what is right; to spend time quieting their desires and ambitions; to understand the importance of engaging with moral struggle; and to realize that good character is the result of besting inner weakness through constant vigilance.

Without attention to these values, he said, it is easy to remain unaware of a flawed personal moral philosophy.

“Slowly, minute by minute, the concern for external success starts to crowd out concern for the inner moral life because the outer life is just so attractive and external pressures are so great,” he said. “Reclaiming the formula for morality is essential.”

Students also recited the Class of 2017 Oath of Honor, written by freshman Rebecca Manikkam. The code outlines the students’ commitment to courage, conscientious decision-making, honesty and service-minded action.

“We are dedicated to creating the next generation of thoughtful, responsible business leaders,” GWSB Interim Dean D. Christopher Kayes said.