May 2, 2003

Plagiarism: a Lie of the Mind

By MAURICE ISSERMAN

In announcing his resignation as president of Hamilton College last fall, Eugene Tobin apologized for a number of instances in which he had used plagiarized material in speeches he had delivered in the nine years since assuming office. That the college's chief executive did not use the occasion to quibble over definitions of plagiarism, or offer extenuating circumstances to excuse his actions, is entirely to his credit. He did the right thing in resigning, and he did the right thing in the

Digital or Print Subscription

Web Pass

Already have an account? Log In Now.