An ethical lesson learned from the equestrian sculpture, "The Torch Bearers," at the University of Madrid Dental School.
As dental professionals, we continue to learn ethical lessons throughout our careers and beyond. We may experience them in our day-to-day involvements with peers and patients, or they may present themselves under more unusual circumstances. In October, 1974, at the University of Madrid Dental School, the senior author had a deeply impressionable experience minutes before he helped to present a course to Spanish dentists in operative dentistry. His co-presenter was Dr. Miles R. Markley of Denver, Colorado, a National Consultant in Restorative Dentistry for the U.S. Air Force. Their ethics teacher that day was Dr. Gerardo Zabalo, Dean of the dental school. His object lesson was delivered at the base of an equestrian, aluminum, larger-than-life sculpture, "The Torch Bearers" which faced the school. The sculptor shows an old, wrinkled man, lying prostrate, with only enough strength left to raise a lighted torch upward. Reaching down to receive the torch is a robust, energized young man, who is sitting upon a sturdy stallion. The lesson which Dean Zabalo taught that day was simple but profound. The lit torch of ethics, learning and values is essentially transmitted from generation to generation, as young students learn from their elders, accept the torch from their retiring leaders, keep the torch brightly lit as they mature in their profession, and, then in turn, hand it over to those young professionals who will replace them. This process will continue, age after age. Thus the torch of learning and thinking is passed on. In the world of education, human contact and the continued sanctity of the scientific written word must be paramount. Students must be taught how to read, learn and think. Computer technology used exclusively as a mode of teaching and learning can never become a viable substitute for our traditional interactive methods which emphasize human to human interaction.
Christen
Arden G
AG
Department of Oral Biology, Indiana University Nicotine Dependence Program, Indiana University Schools of Dentistry and Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3541, USA. achriste@iupui.edu
Christen
Joan A
JA
D003814:Dentistry, Operative / Q000193:education; D004990:Ethics, Dental / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D008512:Medicine in the Arts; D012575:Schools, Dental; D012613:Sculpture; D013030:Spain