The student demonstrations (or riots, depending on viewpoint), along with the comments of his supporters, concerning the firing of Joe Paterno, seem to indicate a blurring of the line between moral responsibility and legal responsibility. For those who missed it, while walking the crowded hallways of some educational institution, or shoveling manure in the barnyard, here is a bulletin: Following the letter of the law does not always fulfill moral responsibility.
Legal responsibility involves adherence to society’s code of laws, but moral responsibility comes from within the individual, based on respect for others and demonstrated by treating others as we would be treated. Morality is not demonstrated by a person’s success in life, or a narrow concern for one’s own family and friends, but by respect for everyone, especially those unable to help themselves.
Perhaps, Paterno covered his legal responsibility by reporting to his job supervisor, but he failed his moral responsibility by not calling police. His own admission is that he should have done more. One might conclude the good coach thought more of his own position, friends, and the system he represented, than he did of the young boys who were sodomized.
An interesting thought concerning morality is that immoral people have trouble recognizing it.
Jim McColloch
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