Ethical Dilemmas

How ethical are you? These questions are adapted from the Josephson Institute of Ethics survey that produced the Report Card on American Integrity.

* You apply for a job you want very much. You’re sure you can do it well, but unless you make some untrue statements, the job will go to someone else. Would you “enhance” your resume?

Yes

No

* Your 12-year-old could get into a much better school if you lived in your sister’s school district. She offers to let you use her address to enroll your child. Would you do it?

Yes

No

* A health insurance application asks about previous injuries. If you admit to any, premiums would go up $50 a month. Would you hide them?

Yes

No

* The bill at a posh restaurant shows a $60 error in your favor. A friend suggests you say nothing, but leave a large tip. Would you do it?

Yes

No

* Your 13-year-old looks 11. You could save $14 at an amusement park if you say he is younger than 13. Would you do it?

Yes

No

* You badly need a loan that you will get only if you understate what you owe. Would you do it?

Yes

No

* The auto body repairman offers to fix damages not caused by your recent collision as part of your insurance claim. Would you do it?

Yes

No

Score: If you resisted the temptation to cheat six of the seven times, you did “better than most, but not good enough,” says Michael Josephson. Fewer than six, he says, “You’ve got a lot more work to do.”