Do People have the Virtues or Vices? (Some Results from Psychology)

Abstract

In this paper the author focuses on just one area of our moral lives, namely cheating motivation and behavior, and briefly examines whether there is any empirical support for the relevant virtue of honesty or vice of dishonesty. In section one, he reviews some of the leading research on cheating behavior, and in section two he does the same for cheating motivation. Section three then outlines several requirements for honesty and dishonesty. The author explains why, in light of the current psychological evidence, these requirements do not seem to be met.