Plagiarism is against the law. How will you react when someone has stolen a work that's very meaningful to you?

In this discussion, we will still be using Scott Rae's 7-Step Moral Reasoning as a means to analyse the best decision to make.

FACTS

• Xian is a summer undergraduate research student at Big University.

• He was flattered when Pingwei, a graduate student form another university emailed him and inquired about his research.

• Xian sent him the progress report he just sent to his research advisor as an attachment to his email reply to Pingwei.

• •Throughout the summer, the two have been exchanging emails because Pingwei always ask him specific questions about Xian's work in which he happily answered each.

• •When spring came, Xian was so surprised to see Pingwei's name on the by-line of a technical article in a leading scientific journal.

• •What surprised him the most was when he read the article and saw texts, figures, and tables were clearly taken word-for-word from his summer progress report.

Source:https://webguru.sites.northeastern.edu/its-all-about-sharing/

ETHICAL ISSUES

Pingwei plagiarized Xian's work without his consent and even had the guts to consult a lot of specific questions, on which, Xian was so innocent and humble answering those through sharing his works. The conflict starts with how Xian should respond to this, given that he willingly shared the informations to Pingwei. The issue could be summarized by the right to claim his own work versus the fact that he willingly shared it to him.

PRINCIPLES BEARING IN THE CASE

Well, Xian shared his work willingly and Pingwei plagiarized it claiming his own. Attribution of credit is extremely salient when you are copying one's work. Individuals deserve credit for their ideas and their intellectual labor to acknowledge efforts and accomplishments that are only visible in their outputs. With this, Xian do not deserve what Pingwei did and have in exchange. He showed generosity despite the hardships he encountered while doing the research. This is what everyone must embrace, helping each other as long as we can. Yet, this does not mean that we won't acknowledge their efforts because we should be more grateful that there are still people who never refuse to lend you a hand. Stealing one's work is also an act of sin that is prohibited in the Bible.

ALTERNATIVES

In this case, the best alternative Xian can have that will compromise to their parts is to talk this over with Pingwei and ask him to put credits on all the informations he plagiarized or turn down the published article. Since he didn't think that Pingwei may copy his work which is inevitable the moment he shared it, he must give Pingwei a chance. If he disagrees, then the next step would be to tell him, "If you won't do it, I will, with the law and justice".

ALTERNATIVES VERSUS PRINCIPLES

Alternative Number 1- "Talk this over with Pingwei and ask him to put credits on all the informations he plagiarized or turn down the published article."

Xian has the right to claim his own work as long as he didn't plagiarize some of those too.

Alternative Number 2- "If you won't do it, I will, with the law and justice".

Reporting Pingwei for plagiarism is rightful and it does not go against any law.

CONSEQUENCES

In the first alternative which is asking Pingwei to put credits, the likely consequence follows:

• Pingwei might change his mind and realize the mistake he made that must be corrected. The situation will not become worse and will be easily addressed.

However, if the alternative of consulting the law be taken, the likely consequence follows:

• Xian will surely win because he is the real author and the truth will always prevail. In their case, Xian has a lot of efficient evidences which includes those that are already sent to his research advisor. It would raise an awareness to everyone who has to make paper works like a research study.

DECISION

Forgiving people who harmed you is never wrong most especially when they are willing to admit their mistakes and correct those. In this case, I will do both. Telling Pingwei to put credits first and that he plagiarized is a more righteous and creative alternative to take since discussing the problem smoothly is a good step to solve it. Making a scene or allegations right away will make the situation even worse, thus, if a humble conversation won't do, consulting the law is the best way. Through this, Pingwei will be proven guilty legally and be punished with equality.

Would you still do the same? Share some of your thoughts. Comment down below.

Thanks a ton!