I had a Reason to Cheat

The other day I was telling a friend about the one time I cheated on a test. I was in third grade, I had missed class because my grandmother had died. Upon coming back I had to take a test on the bones in our body. To say the least, I don't know my bones. I never have. She allowed me to take the test home for some reason I cannot explain except to assume that she assumed that I was a good kid who wouldn't cheat. I sat with the paper on my bay window staring out the window. I didn't know the information. Right next to me was the study guide, I pulled it out, and used it to help me complete the test. The next day I handed it in, and I felt guilty beyond belief. I had never cheated before, and I have never cheated like that since.

When I was telling my friend about this story, I was sure to say that I had just gotten back from my grandmother's funeral. As though an excuse justifies my behavior. In reality, that excuse is the only reason I had the opportunity to cheat in the first place. But, it made me feel better about cheating.

This is just a small example of how we often look for excuses to justify our unethical behavior. As though, we had no other option. There is always another option, and just because it may not seem to benefit you the most, doesn't mean that we should allow ourselves to make the unethical decision.

Although, the ethics of cheating depends on what ethical philosophy you follow. Under some philosophies, cheating was the right decision for me. But in general, we all viewing cheating to be unethical, and I felt unethical doing it.

So readers, Take a bite. Do you notice people and corporations making excuses to justify their actions? Have you yourself made excuses?