November 2007 Seminar in Academic Integrity Dr. Nancy Stanlick Department of Philosophy Nov. 15, 2007 PSY 226, 2:00-4:00 p.m.

1. Attendance

2. Overview 1. Integrity 2. Ethical Theories and Moral Responsibility 3. Values and Principles –UCF Creed and Golden Rule –Cases of Violations of Academic and Social Integrity 4. Academic Dishonesty Video 5. Required Assignments

3. What is Integrity? Rules, Principles, Procedures, Expectations Integrity Integrity –Individual and Community Academic Academic –Conduct  Active, Passive  (Cheating, Presenting, Being) Obligations, Responsibilities Obligations, Responsibilities –Causal, Action, To/For

4. Ethical Theories and Moral Responsibility Virtue Ethics Deontology Utilitarianism Egoism

Virtue Ethics Virtue Ethics –Virtue theory, also called virtue ethics. This is an ethical theory constructed around three elemental notions. The first is that there is no person who is not part of a community of others – i.e., we are primarily social beings and find fulfillment and meaning in the communities in which we live. Second, the primary feature of ethical evaluation of oneself and others resides in the character of a person. Third, the consequences of one’s actions are a determining factor in deciding the question whether the action is right or wrong, good or bad. Virtue theory is not a rule-based ethical theory, and thus you will not find some particular rule that all must follow. It is a character-based theory, not a principle or rule-based theory of ethics. For additional information on this theory, go to e/virtue.ppt. e/virtue.ppt e/virtue.ppt

Utilitarianism, also known as the moral theory focusing on “the greatest happiness.” Very succinctly put, Utilitarians hold the position that pleasure is good and pain is bad. They therefore found their moral reasoning on the notion that increasing pleasure (or minimizing or avoiding pain) is good and decreasing pleasure (or augmenting or causing pain) is bad. Further, if pleasure is good for one person, then it is even better for more than one person. Generally on this basis, the Utilitarian contends that our moral obligation is to produce the greatest happiness for the greatest number (of sentient beings). This, in fact, is the requirement of the ultimate rule of utilitarian ethics: the principle of utility. For additional information on this theory, go to ilitarianism/utilitarianism_pp.ram Utilitarianism, also known as the moral theory focusing on “the greatest happiness.” Very succinctly put, Utilitarians hold the position that pleasure is good and pain is bad. They therefore found their moral reasoning on the notion that increasing pleasure (or minimizing or avoiding pain) is good and decreasing pleasure (or augmenting or causing pain) is bad. Further, if pleasure is good for one person, then it is even better for more than one person. Generally on this basis, the Utilitarian contends that our moral obligation is to produce the greatest happiness for the greatest number (of sentient beings). This, in fact, is the requirement of the ultimate rule of utilitarian ethics: the principle of utility. For additional information on this theory, go to ilitarianism/utilitarianism_pp.ram ilitarianism/utilitarianism_pp.ram ilitarianism/utilitarianism_pp.ram

Deontology, a duty based-ethical theory, centers on the rational calculation of the universalizability of the maxim (or rule) of an action to determine its rightness. A deontologist does not believe that the consequences of an action determine its rightness. It is, instead, that the principle of the action, and the reason that the moral agent performed it, are what determines an action’s moral worth. But do not be misled by this notion. It does not mean that simply intending to produce good results is what matters. An intent to do that matters not at all. For the deontologist, it is not enough simply that an action be done. It must be done for the right reason. But not just any reason will do. The action must be performed on the basis of an ultimate rule of morality. But simply performing an action because it is a rule to do so is not enough. What is also required is that the rule of one’s action be derived from the only rule of morality: the categorical imperative. For additional information on this theory, go to Kant_Duty_and_Universality.ppt Deontology, a duty based-ethical theory, centers on the rational calculation of the universalizability of the maxim (or rule) of an action to determine its rightness. A deontologist does not believe that the consequences of an action determine its rightness. It is, instead, that the principle of the action, and the reason that the moral agent performed it, are what determines an action’s moral worth. But do not be misled by this notion. It does not mean that simply intending to produce good results is what matters. An intent to do that matters not at all. For the deontologist, it is not enough simply that an action be done. It must be done for the right reason. But not just any reason will do. The action must be performed on the basis of an ultimate rule of morality. But simply performing an action because it is a rule to do so is not enough. What is also required is that the rule of one’s action be derived from the only rule of morality: the categorical imperative. For additional information on this theory, go to Kant_Duty_and_Universality.ppt Kant_Duty_and_Universality.ppt Kant_Duty_and_Universality.ppt

Psychological Egoism, or an ethical orientation in which its followers hold the position that self- interested behavior is what characterizes human action, is not really a theory of ethics. It is, instead, a descriptive or anthropological account of human behavior that has no moral import. That is, the psychological egoist does not say that people ought to be self-interested. The psychological egoist says that people are self-interested. Another version of egoism, however, does at least deserve to be described as a theory. This is ethical egoism, the position that every person ought to be self- interested and ought to act consistently with that prescription for behavior. For additional information on egoism, go to Psychological Egoism, or an ethical orientation in which its followers hold the position that self- interested behavior is what characterizes human action, is not really a theory of ethics. It is, instead, a descriptive or anthropological account of human behavior that has no moral import. That is, the psychological egoist does not say that people ought to be self-interested. The psychological egoist says that people are self-interested. Another version of egoism, however, does at least deserve to be described as a theory. This is ethical egoism, the position that every person ought to be self- interested and ought to act consistently with that prescription for behavior. For additional information on egoism, go to

5. What is it to be Responsible? Causing an event Causing an event Reacting to an event Reacting to an event Preventing an event Preventing an event Acquiescing Acquiescing Being responsible to/responsible for Being responsible to/responsible for

Values and Principles An example of failure – 10 Cs An example of failure – 10 Cs –Why can they fail? –How can they succeed?

6. Values and Principles UCF Creed: Statement of Values UCF Creed: Statement of Values UCF Golden Rule: Statement of Principles UCF Golden Rule: Statement of Principles

The UCF Creed Integrity Integrity Scholarship Scholarship Community Community Creativity Creativity Excellence Excellence

The UCF Golden Rule See ules.html See ules.html ules.html ules.html

6. Cases and “Violations” Cheating/Plagiarism Cheating/Plagiarism “Faking it” and false information “Faking it” and false information Violence Violence Non-compliance and legitimate disagreement Non-compliance and legitimate disagreement

7. A Video on Academic Dishonesty Go to dulcU for a short segment of an episode of the soap opera, All My Children (on academic cheating). dulcU dulcU

8. Assignments Submit all assignments by no later than 4:00 p.m. seven days from the meeting of the seminar. Send to Make sure that your name and “Ethics Seminar” appear in the subject line of the . The full text of the assignments document for this seminar appears at ents.htm. Download the file, fill out the document, and save it like this: YourLastNameEthicsSeminar in.doc format or in.html format. Then, send it to me at the e- mail address listed above. There are 4 homework assignments and an evaluation form. Please follow the instructions carefully. ents.htm ents.htm