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Plagiarism: Difference Between Idea And Thought

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Plagiarism

When we have an idea or insight, rarely is it the first time it has ever occurred to an individual. Furthermore, what we learn through formal education, dialogue, and reading (for those who pay attention) becomes an integral part of our thought--we assimilate the ideas of others. Thus, what we may think and say is not necessarily of our own origin, but rather it is a conglomeration of the ideas of others in conjunction with our own native thoughts and understanding--such is human nature. However, there is a fundamental difference between this assimilation of idea and thought through socialization/education versus plagiarism. Plagiarism is defined, as the knowing act of stealing another's ideas and passing those ideas on as …show more content…

56]) in the form of nausea, heartburn, obesity and a hangover. But we only overindulge because we are ignorant of what would be better for ourselves in the long run, i.e. moderation in food and drink. Thus, Socrates concludes that what causes pain is evil and what causes pleasure is good; we call pleasure evil if it robs us of greater pleasures than it gives, or causes pains greater than the pleasure, and we can call pain good if it prevents further pain or gives pleasures greater than pain (Plato 1956, pg. 60). Socrates finishes by saying, "the salvation of human life has been found to consist in the right choice of pleasures and pains, in the choice of the more and the fewer (i.e. choosing long term happiness over instant gratification).

Now, we can consider the case of plagiarism from Socrates' point of view. Plagiarism (as was previously said), is the knowing act of stealing an idea and passing it off as one's own. Let us now look at why an individual plagiarizes in an academic setting. An individual plagiarizes, according to Socrates' reasoning, out of ignorance of what is best for him in the long run; he plagiarizes thinking he will receive a better grade on his paper as well as by saving time and face by not creating ideas of his own. While this may be true, the consequences outweigh the immediate gratification (good) in two principal ways: 1) Though saving time, when

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