Seminar in Ethics and
Academic Integrity, University of Colorado at Boulder
Essay
Topics
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
Prepared by: Jeffrey T. Luftig, Ph.D.
Leeds School of Business