Is It Still Cheating if I Don't Get Caught?

by Bruce Weinstein

It's not always easy to figure out what's right or wrong.

Your parents say one thing, your teachers say another, and your friends say something else entirely. Is it okay to tell a friend that her cookies taste awful? How should you respond when you see someone cheating on a test? And what's the big deal with downloading music for free?

Whether it's about the use of the internet (copying homework papers?) or sports (steroids?), friendship, family, school, or affairs of the heart, kids often find themselves What's the right thing to do? With five simple and clear ethical principles as a foundation, and plenty of out-of-real-life dilemmas as examples, Dr. Bruce Weinstein offers answers and an approach to things that teens will find useful and reliable. With a good dose of common sense, this accessible life guide proves that, while no one can give you all of the answers, Bruce Weinstein can give you the tools to make the best decisions you can -- anywhere, anytime.

Genres: Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Bruce 'The Ethics Guy' Weinstein should not be confused with the icecream chef Bruce Weinstein.

Reviews

[Leslie Zunker · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I decided to read “Is It Still Cheating If I Don’t Get Caught,” part of me just wanted to know why a one-word answer required an entire book. Okay, now I get it: sometimes it’s not always as plain as the deep black and the stark white.

It’s the myriad of ever-changing shades of gray that become a slippery slope. It’s the thought that wiggles into your consciousness, “just this once and nobody will know.” Those minute compromises that you make because it’s convenient, because it’s easy, because it’s the popular thing to do, because sometimes you’re just too dang tired. The author walks you through a scenario and, at the end, gives you a several “what would you do” options to choose from. Sometimes the best response is obvious. But rather than leave it at that, the author discusses each option and explains why it may or may not be the best answer.

While I feel “Is It Still Cheating” should be required reading for high schoolers who are faced with daily erosion of their still-forming ethics – to keep them off those slippery slopes in the first place, it’s a good tool for the rest of us to check the direction of our moral compasses.

Spoiler alert: yes, it is. :)

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was fantastic. It was just sitting in my room along with a bunch of other books and I decided that it would be a great book to start off with for my goodreads reviews. The book was about cheating not only in school but just in general, and also talk about ethics and how people should be treated etc. But, one of the things that I liked about this book was that the author had people write to him and ask questions about what they did,or what they should do, or even what they would've have done to help their friends, or what the right thing to say to someone is if they ask them something. And then he would answer back to them on what he thought was right. Second, was the way that he had the book organized. He had the story, or what he felt was right and then he had random peoples opinions and questions.
Overall, this should be your next choice where ever you are pick this book up and read it you might learn something new.

[Yvonne Powderly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weinstein offers some guidance on ethics in this easy to read and practical guide. At the start of the book, he outlines five "life principles," then gives senarios, which many teens will be able to relate to, "what would you do" options and then an explanation of how you should behaveand how the principles will lead to ethical decisions. The hypothetical situations cover school issues, sports, friends, and dating to Internet use and drugs. His advice repeatedly refers back to the life principles,Do No Harm, Make Things Better, Respect Others, Be Fair, Be Loving.
I think I will use some of these with my 7th graders with regard to cheating, plagiarism, and bullying.

[Richie Partington · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was pretty good. I really like how you included many examples of "cheating. I enjoyed it. Thanks!

[Andreea · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book Is It Still Cheating if I Don't Get Caught, by Bruce Weinstein is a nonfiction book about what teenagers should do when they are in a moment of crisis and they cannot make a decision. So, through out this book, I have learned to always stay true to my opinion, but also think about not hurting others while making a decision. Now, teenagers face many problems with their friends, family and educational life at this age and with all of this, it is hard for a teen to make right decisions constantly. So, with this book, any person may have a guideline of what to do when the worst comes at hand. Now, when it comes to peer pressure, decisions can be hard to make, especially when someone turns against someone else and your caught in the middle, not knowing who to agree with and who's side to be on. Now, friendship was one topic that Weinstein was conversing about, however there are way more topics that may end up in conflicts for teenagers. So, another topic that teenagers might have a problem with is jobs and if showing up is actually an option. Now, topics are not the only things important in this book, in fact the most important feature throughout this book, is that Weinstein has not answered the question "Is it still cheating if I don't get caught?" directly. Instead, Weinstein has trained his readers with a couple of events that might happen to a teen and what to do when an important decision has to be made in these events. This is a very important feature in this book, because this question, unanswered is left for you to use the "rights" and "wrongs" that Weinstein has layed out for his readers. All in all, Weinstein has created a way of teaching us what is wrong and right and he expects that with these lessons, his readers can answer the title of the book correctly. However, all the other interesting details of this book is left for you to read.
This book was very entertaining and interesting to read, because it made me feel like I was preparing for the worst events. Now, when reading this book, I have learned many important tips and such. Overall, I rated this book a three out of five stars because I felt like there could have been more topics within this book in order to gain more knowledge on what is right and what is wrong so that the title can be answered by most any readers.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this book, Bruce Weinstein talks about different everyday life experiences and what you should do. He talks about ethics, which means the study and practice of doing the right thing. His format in writing states the question and what the scenario is. He gives you some options and it is kind of like a quiz. You need to choose the one you think is the most…right one. He then gives you the correct answer and gives an explanation to it as well. I liked a lot of the questions because it really helps me with my own problems as well, and it helps me find a solution to it. The title of this book, Is It Still Cheating If I Don’t Get Caught?, might get you thinking that it is only about cheating. But Weinstein talks and elaborates more on cheating, and he talks about other scenarios as well.

I thought this book had a lot of good questions but it got really boring towards the end because it kept repeating the same thing. I gave it only two stars because I’ve read better nonfiction books than this one. But even though it got boring towards the end, it was still really good and helpful. Many of the author’s questions include everyday life troubles such as, cheating on a test, breaking up, and much more. I do not really recommend this book to people who like adventure and action because it didn’t have any of those combinations. But if you are one of those people who really need some advice, this book is surely the one.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book sets a really good example for the teens in the 21st century. It teaches the 5 principles of life as well as what to do in specific situations. I honostly think that this book is is for teens of all ages since it will help them set good goals and keep them out of trouble. This book has helped me with various situation as well as thinking for myself on what is right.

This book discusses topics that are very common in a teens life. It starts of with the 5 principles (read to find out) that you can base your life around since they will help you so much in so many situations. It also discusses a very important issue, what is a right fried. A right friend will not make fun of you or will not bully/harass you. This book has taught me a lot and I recommend it to everyone I hold dear to me as well as to people who need extra tips in their lives.

The book generally is good on covering topics of a teens life but I also believe that it could help some adults in there life. Even though adults are not perfect, they make mistakes just like us teens. If anyone reads this book I garante that you will learn something new. This book helped many people with their lives, make sure you are the next person that is helped and pick up your copy of, "Is it still Cheating if you don't get Caught?" by: Bruce Weinstein.
1 star: Terrible
2 stars: It was ok
3 stars: I like it
4 stars: I love it
5 stars: I love it, I couldn't put the book down.

[Nshslibrary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Are you someone who often finds yourself asking questions such as, “What am I supposed to do?” or, “How am I supposed to do it?” or better yet, “What is the best way that I can accomplish this?” Well then reading Is It Still Cheating If I Don’t Get Caught by Bruce Weinstein, would definitely be a beneficial activity for you. Although, if you are not someone that second guesses themselves, and generally are comfortable with your way of executing life’s obstacles, then this book shouldn’t be atop your list of “must reads." It was definitely interesting reading about the best ways of going about your social and personal life from an author with a Ph.D. in ethics. His credentials are perfect for the type of book that this is.

What catches the attention of many readers about this book was the way that Weinstein interacted with his readers through ways other than the raw text. He included charts, pictures, and boxes that included bullet points offering questions about the topic at hand. Additions like these intake the capacity to draw a reader's attention more so than a straightforward paragraph after paragraph novel. Pondering at these questions was a difficult task to avoid while going through this book. Ultimately, this book was completely relevant. The topics discussed pertained quite obviously to a high school audience, which goes without question considering that it was found in a high school library. ~ Student: Sam K.

[Carolina Colleene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Language - G, Sexual Content - G; Violence - G
This book isn't only about cheating, it's a field guide for tough situations you might find yourself in. Bruce Weinstein has five basic principles and explains how to use them for any situation.
I found this book to be really interesting--way more than I thought it was going to be. I think that the principles Bruce tells about are important for everyone to know and strive to live by. I know that I will change now that I have read this book.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really think this book should be required reading AND discussion to all junior high kids and a reminder periodically throughout high school. It teaches basic, character building life skills and shows how they apply to everyday situations.

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, concise guide for applying 5 ethical rules to life for teens.