This article reflects on the power of principled resignations, using the case of William Ruckelshaus, who resigned as Deputy Attorney General rather than fire Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox, as an example. Ruckelshaus's actions resonate deeply, illustrating how a single act of integrity can leave a lasting impression. During a class assembly at Princeton in 1975, his presence and ethical stance on the honor code overshadowed his words, emphasizing the importance of personal integrity. The narrative draws parallels to recent resignations, suggesting that such acts of principle continue to impact public sentiment deeply.
In 1975, Ruckelshaus, who had resigned his office as a matter of principle just two years earlier, walked onstage to talk about the honor code.
What he was spoke so loudly I didn't care what he said. The emotional impact of a principled resignation is profound.
Scholars say that there are three ways to persuade listeners: Logos, or logical appeal; pathos, or emotional appeal; and ethos, or personal appeal.
I'm pretty confident that if you asked me to recite the names of all former deputy attorneys general of the United States, my recitation would stop at one: Ruckelshaus.
Collection
[
|
...
]