The Community Standard

The philosopher Alasdaire MacIntyre once said we have the concepts of the ancient morality—virtue, honor and goodness—but we no longer have a system to connect them. In many ways I think this might be true, but it is only so because there may no longer be this unspoken goal among humanity to uphold these values, but this does not have to be so. The new humanism, I would like to think, will revel in a connectedness among all people through common goals forged in light of common values.

We at Duke stand in a position to realize, in a microcosm, what could be the reality for our world. The essence of the Duke Community Standard, to unite behind common values of peace and honor, is true and right. It speaks of respect and of a great sense of unity. Its very name attempts to encapsulate this. As Duke students, we choose whether or not to unite behind our community’s standard, but it belongs to us. We own the standard and we choose whether or not to live up to its tenets. No overhaul of the Honor Council, new housing model or imposition from the Allen Building will deliver us a community united in mutual respect and care. The power to reform our community lies within ourselves. Only we can do this. It is our choice as Duke. The framework is in place; it is our responsibility to unite behind it. To realize this goal we must choose as a community to uphold some system of values. The Community Standard should stand above that system and shape it. As soon as all student groups have values that support rather than detract from our standard, we may very well realize our potential as one of the most warm and inclusive communities of young men and women who can stand together to help the world in the future, just as they did at Duke.

Very respectfully,

Christopher Martin

Trinity ’11

Chair, Honor Council