The Language
of Conscience
Tieman H. Dippel, Jr.
Texas Peacemaker Publications, L.L.C. |
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Summary
In his first book, The New Legacy, Dippel created the
concept of enlightened conservatism, which emphasized the necessity for personal
responsibility if it was to succeed. In The Language of Conscience,
the author expands personal responsibility to include character, which is the
choice of conscience over convenience.
In his Preface, the author discusses the origin of conscience, a
subject explored by philosophers, scientist, and theologists. Most agree
Internal Moral or Natural Law appears inherent in Man, both in Western and
Eastern cultures. Dippel's challenge is how to develop it in the world of
business in order to facilitate practices for the common good of all.
This book is not written for a broad audience, but for three
specific groups. The first audience includes young leaders who require
advice in forming nonprofit cooperative organizations. Already
established interested participants in the nonprofit sector who wish for a
vision of the desired future comprises the second group. Since any vision
must be international, the last group includes Asian cultural and economic
leaders.
This is a logically formatted book consisting of six major
parts. The author begins with Service and Responsibility, and then moves
on to Perspective, Influence of History, Ethics, Case Studies, and Strategies.
Sub headings clearly explain each of the six major topics, and all focus on the
imperative of leadership.
It is interesting to note this book was published at an
appropriate time. The heroism exhibited on September eleventh, and the
subsequent days affirmed the nation's intrinsic good. People acted with
conscience, not for convenience. Almost immediately thereafter, however,
corporate CEO corruption revealed flaws in our nation's character. In
spite of the latter, Dippel remains undeterred in his optimism and belief that
individuals with high moral values not only can, but also should make a
difference in our world.
Author's Bio
The author of this book, my friend of decades, Skipper Dippel (Tieman to those
who don’t know him) is that most rare of creatures: one who combines the best of
the Hedgehog and the Fox. Skipper knows one big thing: conscience must be
paramount for a civil society. But he also knows many other things and pursues
many ends, often unrelated, but somehow never contradictory.
Skipper is a scholar, a businessman, a lawyer, an activist for many worthy
causes, a philanthropist, a politician, a family man, and above all and in the
highest sense of the word a "citizen."
One big thing Skipper knows is that everyone has a philosophy whether they know
it or not. They may be a Christian or a Moslem, a Republican or a Democrat, a
Crip or a Blood, but they have and act on a philosophy. The fundamental question
is whether their philosophy is grounded in conscience or "convenience." Does a
man or woman seek to discern right and stand by it or do they do what is most
convenient no matter the cost to others and their own diminished conscience.
Brenham, Texas, Skipper’s lifelong residence, is a small idyllic town on the
lush coastal plains of Texas midway between Austin and Houston. When Texans
lived mostly in small towns, places like Brenham and Decatur (my home) could
produce political powerhouses. Now that most Texans live in four metropolitan
areas, with their vaults of political money and media reach, movers and shakers
are rarely found in the small towns of Texas. Skipper is an exception.
It is true he has the resources to write big checks and occasionally does. He
can also raise a few bucks. But Skipper Dippel has not been a mover in Texas
political and civic affairs for a quarter century because of fund raising
prowess. He attained and maintained that status because it is widely known and
accepted that Skipper acts only on conscience.
He is a true moral force, and I have always been amazed at the power of moral
force in a state where might is mightily respected. The late Texas Lt. Gov. Bob
Bullock, a man who understood political might better than most, once told me
that he found himself perplexed over a piece of legislation that was of no real
interest to him, but was critical to many of his friends who were evenly divided
for and against. When he heard Skipper opposed the bill he decided to oppose it
too (although the two never discussed it personally). Why? Because he assumed it
was the "right" thing to do.
To the astonishment of those who knew him in college, Skipper has never run for
public office. Nor has he ever really proclaimed a party allegiance. Instead he
has worked through a plethora of networks, some formal some not. These have
included religious, political, academic, civic, professional, arts, and business
organizations. Some he founded, some he lead, some he helped lead, some he
simply helped shape as a member or even as just an outside friend.
Why? Why not run for office? Why not leave Brenham, strikeout for Austin or
Houston? Why run a small bank when none doubt he could have run a major bank?
Why spend a lifetime enmeshed in organizations and networks that must literally
number over 100? First, because he believes this is how and where a free people
can be truly effective. He believes it is where the conscience can at least have
its day in court.
Second, he believes in the power of history and culture. His history and his
culture are the history and culture of Texas. The Texas into which he and I were
born is largely vanished. Oil and cattle don’t matter much more than Brenham or
Decatur. And if nations are fading in importance states like Texas surely are
too. But there is still a culture and a history that lives on, there is still a
Texas way, and Skipper, the quintessential Texan is determined to see that the
best of what that was survives him.
This book, The Language of Conscience, is intended a sort of handbook for those
who would lead on the "big thing" of conscience, and on the "many things" that
include history, culture, responsibility, accountability, and activism within
all the venues a free society provides. And it is about seeing the beast of
Texas survives.
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The
Language
of Conscience
Tieman H. Dippel, Jr.
Texas Peacemaker Publications, L.L.C. |
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