Is Cheating Ethical
Introduction:
Many people tend to equate ethics with their feelings. But being ethical is clearly not a matter of followings one’s feelings. Ethics, however, cannot be confined to religion nor is it the same as religion. Being ethical is not the same as following the law. The law often incorporates ethical standards to which most citizens subscribe. But laws, like feelings, can deviate from what is ethical. Finally, being ethical is not the same as doing “whatever society accepts.” In any society, most people accept standards that are ethical. But standards of behaviour in society can deviate from what is ethical. An entire society can become ethically corrupt. Nazi Germany is good example of a morally corrupt society. What then, is ethics? Ethics is two things. First, ethics refers to well based standards of right and wrong that prescribe what humans ought to do, usually in terms of rights, obligations, benefits to society, fairness, or specific virtues. Secondly, ethics refers to the study and development of one’s ethical standards (Williams, 2010, pp. 2-4).
Cheating is defined in the dictionary as, to deceive by trickery; swindle, however the dictionary fails to tell you if it is right or wrong to cheat. People have many different beliefs when it comes to cheating; some think its fine to do while others completely disapprove (Sullivan, 1992).
Consequentialism/Utilitarianism:
Utilitarianism is the best known version of consequentialism. According to Mill, “Actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness; wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness.” (Mill, 2003) So the ultimate aim of each person is predominantly, if not exclusively, the promotion happiness (pleasure).
Is it ethical to cheat?
According to a study of Washington Post conducted over the last year, 64% of high school students have cheated on a test and 38% did more than two times. “Though 64% of high school students said they cheated, 93% said they
Many people tend to equate ethics with their feelings. But being ethical is clearly not a matter of followings one’s feelings. Ethics, however, cannot be confined to religion nor is it the same as religion. Being ethical is not the same as following the law. The law often incorporates ethical standards to which most citizens subscribe. But laws, like feelings, can deviate from what is ethical. Finally, being ethical is not the same as doing “whatever society accepts.” In any society, most people accept standards that are ethical. But standards of behaviour in society can deviate from what is ethical. An entire society can become ethically corrupt. Nazi Germany is good example of a morally corrupt society. What then, is ethics? Ethics is two things. First, ethics refers to well based standards of right and wrong that prescribe what humans ought to do, usually in terms of rights, obligations, benefits to society, fairness, or specific virtues. Secondly, ethics refers to the study and development of one’s ethical standards (Williams, 2010, pp. 2-4).
Cheating is defined in the dictionary as, to deceive by trickery; swindle, however the dictionary fails to tell you if it is right or wrong to cheat. People have many different beliefs when it comes to cheating; some think its fine to do while others completely disapprove (Sullivan, 1992).
Consequentialism/Utilitarianism:
Utilitarianism is the best known version of consequentialism. According to Mill, “Actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness; wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness.” (Mill, 2003) So the ultimate aim of each person is predominantly, if not exclusively, the promotion happiness (pleasure).
Is it ethical to cheat?
According to a study of Washington Post conducted over the last year, 64% of high school students have cheated on a test and 38% did more than two times. “Though 64% of high school students said they cheated, 93% said they
References: Boenisch, D. (2008, December 1). Is Cheating Ethical. Retrieved January 14, 2012, from School House Talk: http://schoolhousetalk.wordpress.com Gilbert, E. (2006). the Persuit of Balance. In E. Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love (pp. 215-273). New York: Penguin Books. Mill. (2003, May 20). Consequentialism. Retrieved January 25, 2012, from Stanford Encyclooedia of Philosophy: http://plato.stanford.edu rsrevision/kantandthecatimp.htm. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2012, from www.members.fortunecity.com. Sullivan, K. M. (1992, na na). The Justices of Rules and Standards. p. http://scholarshi.law.duke.edu. Williams, W. R. (2010). Ethics and Law: Basic Concepts, Cases and Dilemmas. Zicklin School of Business.