Dr. H. Tristram Engelhardt, Jr.: Scholar, Gentleman, Friend

Abstract

I first met H. Tristram Engelhardt, Jr.—“Tris” to those who know him personally—on a campus visit to Rice University after I had been admitted to Rice but prior to accepting the offer of admission. Two philosophy graduate students accompanied me to a class that Tris was teaching. I had seen his picture on the Philosophy Department’s website, and had of course read his Foundations of Bioethics, but was unsure what to expect of him in person. I liked him immediately. In particular, I was struck by his humor—he had me in stitches in no time—and energy. Repeatedly, he would ask his students the question, “do I have your permission to use you in an experiment?” which, if answered in the affirmative, would usually be followed by a humorous thought experiment in which the student in question featured prominently. The phrasing of that question is significant: consistent with the “principle of consent,” which plays such a prominent role in Tris’ account of “general secular morality,” it was imperative to obtain a student’s “consent” to be “used” in the classroom setting, albeit for pedagogical purposes. Later that day, Tris made a point of welcoming me personally, spending time with me and making himself available to answer any questions I might have.

 The affiliations listed above are for identification purposes only. The views expressed in this essay are the author’s and do not necessarily express the formal opinions of The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity, Trinity International University, or Joni and Friends International Disability Center.