Convocation: Randy Cohen

Every week for over a decade in his column on ethics, Randy Cohen took on conundrums presented in letters from perplexed people who wanted to do the right thing (or hope to get away with doing the wrong thing), and responded with a skillful blend of moral authority and humor.  The wisdom and witticisms of the man behind the New York Times Magazine’s immensely popular column "The Ethicist" have been gathered in his book The Good, the Bad & The Difference – regarded as a combination of "Dear Abby," Plato, and Mel Brooks.  Cohen has also won four Emmy awards, three as a writer for Late Night with David Letterman.  He was the original head writer on The Rosie O’Donnell Show and has been a guest on Good Morning America. His work has also appeared in Slate magazine, The New Yorker, The Washington Post and other publications.  Cohen explores the question:  If we can reach a rough consensus on right and wrong (don't like, don't cheat, don't steal), why don't we all behave virtuously?  Suggesting the answer lies not in our characters but our circumstances, Cohen discusses how to create the kind of communities – in our neighborhoods, our schools, our businesses – in which we are likely to behave admirably.  The title of his presentation is "How To Be Good."