According to the Oxford Dictionary online, the word "cheat" has two primary meanings:
verb: [no object] to act dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage; [with object] to gain an advantage over or deprive of something by using unfair or deceitful methods
noun: a person who behaves dishonestly in order to gain an advantage; an act of cheating; a fraud or deception
Two main themes emerge from this definition: honesty and fairness. According to the International Center for Academic Integrity (
www.academicintegrity.org), these two themes are also listed as two of the five fundamental values of academic integrity; the other three include trust, respect, and responsibility.
If I cheat, then I am basically taking a shortcut around the rules and am not being honest with myself or with others. If I cheat, I am definitely not being fair to everyone who is "playing the game" with me. The "game" can be an examination that I am taking, a project that I need to finish, or a line that I am standing in to buy my movie ticket.
I venture to say that there are more successful people who do not cheat (or cheat less) than there are who do (and do more).
Here's an exercise I propose to you. Go through 30 of your Facebook "friends" and identify the ones you believe are successful. From the successful friends, select the ones who you think are most of the time honest and fair. I say more honest and fair friends than none will emerge.
Surprised?
Dr. Tony Feghali
Director, Bicharaf
