Synopsis
The article describes key issues that are very relevant to the modern world. It begins by explaining how the effects of cheating can be adverse and have far reaching effects after seven-time Tour de France champion confessed to using drugs to enhance performance in the race for an approximated seven years. One fact that is even demoralizing is when medical researchers go ahead and manipulate scientific research findings. It gives facts that cheating has become a common norm among many individuals and formed a reason for acquiring things easily and at any cost. The effect of this vice is that resources are squandered which end up harming patients and misdirecting scientists and policy decision makers.
The article presents some findings that are kind of interesting revealing that human beings are not just the most affected but also animals and even deep sea species form part of the deception group. Other than the deep sea species such as fishes and other aquatic animals and species, other animals also join the list when it comes to cheating. According to the writer of the article, he describes an instance when cash rewards were introduced in a given university by two researchers which had an effect in the fact that it ended up reducing cases of cheating among students and particularly when cash comes into play. Gender has also formed the core of cheating process with findings of researchers showing that men appear to be more affected than the feminine gender. Of importance to note about cheating is that if a break is not put in the process, similar results might be yielded over and over again presenting the same trend although personal conscience appears to place a solution at a given point in time.
Starting with the points that I agree with, it is correct that humans are quick to cheat when circumstances allow. Citing university exams as examples, it is quite clear that people engage in cheating despite the strict review rules. In this regard, an absence of an invigilator paves the way for most of them to participate in this act. The second finding that I concur with is that if the break is not introduced in the process, cheating can deteriorate to the level of going wild. It is also true that other temptations can be trivial if one manages to overcome the initial temptations of dishonesty. I disagree with the findings that cheating happens in deep sea fish-eating habit. According to scientific research, the majority of species follow the food web, and this is fundamental to their survival. Unless it is followed to the letter, extinction of some species can be witnessed.
Interesting findings
It is quite interesting that the same way human beings have the ability and talent to cheat, same way do they have the capacity to detect cheaters, and in this regard, they have a very simple social rule to detect violation of the rule of cheating. Additionally, it is interesting that people can deviate from cheating as much as it ends up making them feel bad. Additionally, people can construct rationalizations that make them feel better even after engaging in cheating.
Confusing content
It is confusing when facilitators of an examination establish a cash reward system for the people who do not participate in cheating. In reality, any institution should try to punish this vice at all costs so as to inculcate honesty in its educational system. This should not form grounds for measuring honesty and should be avoided.
Topics to learn
The subject of ethics in this context is crucial to me. I would, therefore, like to find out more about how it can be incorporated in any educational system because this would form grounds for the morals instilled in a child’s general life. We need to develop an understanding of the effects of what we engage in, both on a short term and long term basis.
Works Cited
Ferric C. Fang, and Arturo Casadevall. "Why We Cheat: Scientists are unraveling the causes of fraud and dishonesty and devising new strategies for rooting them out" Scientific American Mind (May 1, 2013): 31-37. Print.
