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IS IT STILL CHEATING IF I DON'T GET CAUGHT

Page history last edited by RichiesPicks 14 years, 7 months ago

17 April 2009 IS IT STILL CHEATING IF I DON'T GET CAUGHT? by The Ethics Guy, Bruce Weinstein, Ph.D., Roaring Brook/Flash Point, April 2009, 160p., paperback ISBN: 978-1-59643-306-9

 

"Q: A few weeks ago, I promised my best friend Michael that he could have my MP3 player, since my mom had said I was going to get a new one for my birthday. But last night, my mom sat me down and said she had spoken too soon. When she told my dad what she wanted to do, he said that right now they can't afford it. So now if I give my player to my friend, I won't have one. I don't want to break a promise, but I also can't be without my music -- no way! Also, my mom broke her promise to me, so why can't I do the same? My mom isn't a bad person, and neither am I. How should I handle this?" [And what should she do if Michael insists that she made a promise to give it to him?]

 

What should you do when you hear people trash talking your best friend? What should you do if some of your teammates are using steroids and they encourage you to do likewise? What's the harm in sneaking into a second movie in a multiplex theater after the one you paid for has ended?

 

Sometimes figuring out the right thing to do feels as random as figuring out English grammar and spelling: It seems like there are a billion rules and a billion more exceptions to the rules. But in a great little book he's written, Bruce Weinstein, The Ethics Guy, brings some order and good sense to the insanity that we call Life.

 

In the introductory chapters of IS IT STILL CHEATING IF I DON'T GET CAUGHT? Weinstein introduces five ethical principles to be utilized as the foundation for how we should make decisions and live our lives:

 

1. Do No Harm.

2. Make Things Better.

3. Respect Others.

4. Be Fair.

5. Be Loving.

 

He then illustrates through dozens of scenarios how we can apply these five "Life Principles" to the sort of dilemmas which Twenty-first century adolescents (and adults) are commonly facing. Together, these Principles and the accompanying scenarios offer a great platform for contemplation and for thoughtful discussions about how to behave ethically.

 

In the introductory chapters, the author also defines ethics and takes apart three myths about ethics:

Myth #1: If It's Legal, It's Right, and If It's Illegal, It's Wrong.

Myth #2: If Everyone Is Doing It, It Must Be Right.

Myth #3: If It Feels Right, It Is Right.

 

What I particularly appreciate is how the author does such a great job of making you feel that who you are to the world -- how most people see and judge you -- is based upon your behavior. There is nothing more precious than your credibility and your integrity, and if you regularly make thoughtful decisions based upon these five Life Principles, then people are going to find you more attractive. And you'll be liking yourself a lot more, too.

 

Richie Partington, MLIS

Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.com

Moderator, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/middle_school_lit

http://www.myspace.com/richiespicks

 

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