Ethical Dilemma in College Life

As a college student, I have witnessed and experienced several ethical dilemmas on campus. These dilemmas arise when there is a conflict between two or more ethical values, principles, or opinions. In this essay, I will present one such example of an ethical dilemma that college students face regularly: cheating on exams. I will analyze this dilemma, explore different ethical theories and frameworks that can be used to understand it, propose a potential solution to this problem and evaluate its effectiveness.

Ethical Dilemma Example

Cheating on exams is a common ethical dilemma that many college students face. It involves the act of using unauthorized material or assistance during an exam to get a higher grade or pass. The primary parties involved in this dilemma are the students who are cheating and the professors who are administering the exams. This ethical dilemma arises because there is a conflict between the ethical values of academic integrity, honesty, and fairness, on the one hand, and the pressures of achieving good grades and succeeding academically, on the other.

Problem Analysis

Cheating on exams has several adverse consequences. First, it undermines the academic integrity and value of a student's degree. Second, it deprives honest students of fair and equal opportunities to get good grades. Third, it leads to a vicious cycle of academic dishonesty and cheating. Identifying the ethical issues involved requires recognizing that students who cheat are violating the ethical principles of honesty and integrity, while those who do not cheat are being cheated out of a fair and equal chance to succeed.

Ethical Problem Exploration

There are multiple ethical theories and frameworks that can be used to explore this ethical dilemma. The most relevant one, in this case, is the deontological theory, which values the importance of adhering to moral principles and standards. As per the deontological theory, cheating on exams is always wrong, regardless of the circumstances and consequences. Another theory that can be used to analyze the ethical problem is the utilitarian theory, which prioritizes the satisfaction of the greatest number of people. As per the utilitarian theory, cheating on exams can be justified if it leads to positive outcomes or benefits the individual and society at large. However, this theory has limited application to this specific ethical dilemma.

Solution Proposal

The most effective solution to the ethical dilemma of cheating on exams is to instill a culture of academic integrity and promote awareness of the long-term negative effects of cheating. The solution requires all stakeholders, including students, faculty, and administration, to collaborate actively. For example, each student could be required to sign an honor code agreement to commit to academic integrity, and faculty could introduce proctored exams that detect and discourage cheating. Universities can also use software to detect plagiarism and ensure that students' work is unique.

Evaluation of Proposed Solution

The proposed solution has several benefits. It ensures that each student has an equal opportunity to succeed without compromising their integrity. It establishes a culture of academic integrity that benefits faculty and students alike. Moreover, it minimizes the negative consequences of cheating, such as being expelled or receiving sanctions. However, there might be some challenges to implementing this solution. For example, students may resist signing the honor code agreement or feel that the imposed measures are too restrictive.

Conclusion

In conclusion, ethical dilemmas are pervasive in college life, and cheating on exams is one of the most prevalent ones. This essay presented and analyzed this ethical dilemma from various perspectives and proposed a solution that fosters academic integrity. Ethical decision-making is not just an academic exercise; it is a skill that every student should master to be a moral and responsible member of society.

References

1. Bazerman, M. H., & Tenbrunsel, A. E. (2011). Ethical breakdowns. Harvard Business Review, 89(4), 58-65.
2. Rest, J. R. (1984). Introduction to moral development. Journal of Moral Education, 13(1), 1-6.
3. Stapleton, S. (2004). Ethics and college student life. Journal of College and Character, 5(2), 1-10.