Seminar in Ethics and
Academic Integrity, University of Colorado at Boulder
Essay
Topics
Prepared by: Jeffrey T.
Luftig, Ph.D. Leeds School of Business
1. Why is the “notion of Personal Ethics” (1) false?
2. Select one of the four models of Ethical Decision-Making (1)
discussed, and explain how it can have direct implications for your own
life and
behavior in the future.
3. Select one of the “three dimensions of honesty in communications”
(1) reviewed, and explain how it can have direct implications for your
own life and
behavior in the future.
4. Describe how the “four enemies of integrity” (1) may have had
something to do with your participation in this seminar.
5. What do you want to accomplish with your life? What are the
implications of your current understanding of ethics and integrity to
your likelihood of
ultimately achieving this goal?
6. A quote attributed to Vanessa Redgrave on the CU Honor Code website
states: "Integrity is so perishable in
the summer months of success." What did she mean?
7. A quote attributed to Samuel Johnson on the CU Honor Code website
states: "Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge
without integrity is dangerous and dreadful" What was he trying to say?
Was he correct? Why?
8. A quote attributed to Yousef Karsh on
the CU Honor Code website states:
"I have found that great people do have in common...an immense belief
in themselves and in their mission...At the crucial moment of
decision, they draw on their accumulated wisdom. Above all, they have
integrity." What was he trying to
say? Was he correct? Why?
9. Would you pursue the truth, even if doing so caused you to doubt
your basic beliefs and assumptions? Why? (2)
10. Are there people you admire, even though you disagree with them
about controversial issues (like politics or religion)? What qualities
of
character do they have that you admire? (2)
11. How is a “good life” defined? (2)
12. Professor Taylor (3) states:
“Personal integrity is not a quality we’re born to naturally. It’s a
quality of character we need to nurture, and this requires practice in
both meanings of that word (as in practice the piano and practice a
profession). We can only be a person of integrity if we practice it
every day.”What was he trying to say? Was he correct? Why?
References for Essay Questions:
(1) “Making Ethical Decisions”, Josephson Institute of Ethics
(2) “Twenty-One Questions for Ethical Dialogue (Socratic Questions)”,
University of Maryland Ethics Website
(3) “Academic Integrity: A Letter to My Students”, Professor Bill
Taylor, Oakton
Community College
Other references cited on the CU Honor Code website
Return
to
Blanken's Home Page
Last Modified September 9,
2004
pdb
