Jude P. Dougherty

About the author: Jude P. Dougherty is a dean emeritus and professor of philosophy at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

School shootings suggest that society has failed to teach its members a publicly accepted system of morality. Although the perpetrators of the school shootings at Littleton and other campuses have been surrounded by dangerous influences, such as television and the Internet, to which they do not know how to respond, they are responsible for their own behavior. The way to improve society is to improve individuals. Society, in particular parents, must take steps to ensure that children know the difference between right and wrong.

The lawyer who persuaded the Columbine family to sue the parents of the Littleton, Colorado, killers may not be guilty of...