Adams State University Natasha Liebig, Ph.D., assistant professor of philosophy, and Shane Callahan, Ph.D., part-time philosophy professor, are 2021-2022 Southern Colorado Ethics Champions. They join 14 of their contemporaries from Colorado institutions of higher education.
The Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative is designed to engage both students and faculty in the process of critically examining, comparing and engaging with ethical principles in practical contexts.
“I’m honored to be named an Ethics Champion for this program because just like in any philosophy class I teach, getting students to engage critically with ethical concepts is indispensable in the modern world,” says Callahan.
In Liebig’s view, the job of a contemporary professor of philosophy is to demonstrate that philosophy is not a set of logical abstractions or a set of axioms and theoretical constructs that do not have much to do with human reality, but rather a way of life that helps human beings to live in our dynamic, concrete world.
“Students benefit from continual reexamination of the presuppositions that underlie their innermost core principles,” Liebig says. The position of an Ethics Champion allows her to do this outside of the classroom setting, reaching more individuals who can benefit from such self-reflection.
According to Callahan encountering ethical concepts outside the classroom or academic setting is common. “Being prepared not only to understand them but to critically engage with them on the spot is really important.”
Callahan’s doctoral work was in normative ethics. He sees this as an opportunity to engage students and faculty in a critical dialogue about concepts that give foundation to their concept of self and worldview. “I accept this opportunity to represent Adams State as an Ethics Champion with pride. This program helps cultivate skills and awareness that deepens appreciation for the values of diversity, equity and inclusion.”
Liebig and Callahan coach students in the Daniels Fund Case Competition, in which students develop a solution for a business-in-crisis grounded in some particular ethical framework; their presentation of their solution is ranked among other competitors.
“I have witnessed the impact on students through the friendly competitions in which they are encouraged to not be afraid to challenge their beliefs against the trends and to become significant contributors to ongoing, current dialogue of relevant issues,” Liebig added. As an Ethics Champion, Liebig appreciates assisting students to develop a deeper understanding of complex ideas and their applications to the world today.
Callahan and Liebig also coach students in the Rocky Mountain Regional Ethics Bowl wherein students ultimately develop a position grounded in an ethical framework, and defend that framework against objections from a competing team.
Liebig and Callahan are currently recruiting students for the Fall 2021 Case Competition and the Rocky Mountain Regional Ethics Bowl, winners of the Regional Ethics Bowl advance to the national competition. Interested students can contact Liebig at nliebig@adams.edu.
