Introduction

The question of whether ethics professors or law professors are less likely to commit a crime is not easily answered. While there are arguments to be made on both sides, the available information paints a nuanced picture.

Background on Legal and Ethical Professors

Law professors and ethics professors play distinctly different roles in academia. Law professors are typically required to have extensive legal training and experience, which often includes passing an FBI/DOJ background check. Ethics professors, on the other hand, have a broader range of educational backgrounds and may not face the same rigorous screening processes.

Given the nature of their respective fields, it is reasonable to entertain the idea that the law professor might be less likely to commit a crime. The rigorous background checks and legal pathways they follow are designed to prevent individuals with criminal records from obtaining a license to teach law.

Screening Processes and Their Effectiveness

Both ethics and law professors undergo rigorous hiring processes, but the specific requirements can differ. Law professors are likely to be subject to more stringent screening, including background checks, which are designed to exclude individuals with criminal records. These checks are a fundamental part of the legal profession's ethical framework, aimed at maintaining the high standards necessary for faithful legal practice.

On the other hand, ethical considerations in philosophy departments may be more subjective and less formally regulated. While they also have hiring standards, these standards are not always as clearly defined or enforced as those for law professors.

Theoretical and Practical Implications

It is important to distinguish between being a professor in a particular discipline and the ethical standards of the individual. Even with rigorous background checks, it is impossible to guarantee that every law professor is perfect or that every ethics professor is performing within the bounds of their ethical guidelines.

Professor May, for instance, suggests that there is no automatic correlation between studying ethics and being ethical. Just as someone can study geometry without being triangular, one can study ethics without necessarily living by ethical principles. This highlights the gap between academic knowledge and real-world behavior.

Real-World Considerations and Cultural Context

A liberal cultural context can sometimes blur the lines between right and wrong, and the primary deterrent to criminal behavior may be the risk of getting caught rather than the perceived immorality of the act itself.

In a society that often prioritizes individual rights and minimizes the severity of legal consequences, the fear of punishment may be less effective as a deterrent. Therefore, the likelihood of someone committing a crime is more influenced by their general ethical stance and personal values than by their academic title or the field they teach in.

Conclusion: A Comparative Analysis

While law professors may be less likely to commit a crime due to the stringent background checks they face, this does not necessarily mean that ethics professors are more likely to commit a crime. The likelihood of an individual committing a crime is more influenced by personal moral integrity and values than by their professional title.

In the end, one cannot make sweeping generalizations based solely on academic specialization. The ethical climate and individual moral compass are the true determinants of a person's likelihood to commit a crime.