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Why is it unethical to be determined to call out and punish cheaters? When I was in college, we had like an academic honesty pledge that made it clear we would get kicked out of school if they caught us cheating. It's not uncommon (or, I think, unethical) to punish cheating in academic programs.

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He sabotaged the cheaters. It's a bit different than just catching them and issuing the usual punishment. I think there is room for debate around the distinction, but from an ethical point of view one should avoid gray areas, and this guy actually teaches ethics - to this class.

Yeah I agree that's the interesting question, but I think "it's bad to want to punish people who cheat" is the wrong take, in general.

He did not sabotage them - the usual punishment is at minimum a zero on the relevant assignment/test/etc., and frequently extends to outright failing out of the class. Scoring worse on the test due to their cheating is irrelevant as it'll be reduced to a zero.

From an ethical point of view, he has done these students, the university, and the world at large a huge favor.

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