Implications of doing other peoples homework

[blake 3:17]

What are the ethics and implications of doing other people's homework?

I'm a few years older than most people on this board and realize often that there is a generation gap. I have a university education and went back to school for a more "career" (hate the word) based education. Part of my paid work is as an academic tutor.

I get a bit angry when people start threads which are of the I-didn't-do-the-readings-or-the-work-and -could -you-people-write-my-school-paper-for-me? variety.

I'm in favour of common knowledge, collective intellectual projects, crowd sourcing, etc. What bugs me is when people either aren't even trying.

Thoughts?

[The Young Pioneer]

Mm, I think it's up to a student to take what they can from their education.

That being said, a lot of "education" isn't really learning. The location of the school dictates the ideology students get knocked into their heads, and I've met quite a few people opposed to writing essays, etc. requiring the student to write for or against certain political philosophies, or based on biased instruction of a historical event. To me, it's completely relevant to half-ass an assignment (or let someone else who feels like it) when that assignment asks you to go against certain truths you've learned on your own.

Though, there are also a bunch of lazy asswipes out there who just don't do their homework because they'd rather play Skyrim.

[Ocean Seal]

Which threads are you referring to, most people just ask quick questions. The only time where I felt that someone was doing someone else's hw was a long time ago when I think someone posted a binary assignment.

Are you referring to on this forum or others?

[bcbm]

wouldn't this be better off in philosophy or non-political?

[NewLeft]

I wish I had courses in econ/philosophy or some social science.. But nope, I only have room for science.

Someone who gets someone else to do their work sounds like a future capitalist to me.

[blake 3:17]

wouldn't this be better off in philosophy or non-political?

The intention behind the question is really sociological. I was dithering on where to post it, but this forum seemed right. I don't look at this part of the board much but it seems to maybe be the best match. I do think the subject has political implications.

If we take anarchism or Leninism seriously, we need to take the question of intellectual development seriously.

Raymond Williams's Culture and Society and Keywords were inspired when he returned to academic life after serving in the Second World War. I believe he operated a tank, but could be wrong. He noticed a huge difference in the ways words were being used by people only a few years younger, but hadn't fought in the war.

I've put a couple of threads lately where I'm trying to figure out "the young people". I'm on the early side of middle age, went to my first protest march 21 years ago, and I just find a cultural gap between radicals and revolutionaries of different ages.


Which threads are you referring to, most people just ask quick questions. The only time where I felt that someone was doing someone else's hw was a long time ago when I think someone posted a binary assignment.

Are you referring to on this forum or others?

I was referring to RevLeft as a whole, and have been thinking about some situations around work. The write-my-essay threads aren't super common and are usually dismissed quickly.

I felt quite weird the other day when I requested a thread be taken down -- the OP was simply a link -- but other RevLefters engaged in it. I erased my cranky comment.

I hadn't come across this kind of stuff (it's just an example): http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=At._yHHNT1ZPSB_tncxzNpzpFQx.;_ylv=3?qid =20070203083728AAYuKca until a few months ago.

I'm mostly trying to understand & may have have conflated a few questions.

[Hermes]

Mm, I think it's up to a student to take what they can from their education.

That being said, a lot of "education" isn't really learning. The location of the school dictates the ideology students get knocked into their heads, and I've met quite a few people opposed to writing essays, etc. requiring the student to write for or against certain political philosophies, or based on biased instruction of a historical event. To me, it's completely relevant to half-ass an assignment (or let someone else who feels like it) when that assignment asks you to go against certain truths you've learned on your own.

Though, there are also a bunch of lazy asswipes out there who just don't do their homework because they'd rather play Skyrim.

However, I'd like to argue that the essays for/against political ideologies, even if it's supporting a political ideology you disagree with or denouncing one you agree with, are some of the most valuable.

It's much easier to just say that your side is right, here's the evidence, but when you're talking about other ideologies with actual people, the best (and sometimes only) way to refute them is to directly counter what they believe in, which you can't really do unless you're well informed. It also has to do with seeing both sides of the argument, etc.

When it goes against certain truths you've learned on your own, I would tread lightly. You never know what could change your mind. To me, a research assignment (not so much an essay, although it happens) will spark further, independent of the project, research. But then, I like writing, so it may be a little more tedious for someone who hates writing and also has to write something he disagrees with.