---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Schwitzgebel even scrounged up the…"
description: "\"“Schwitzgebel even scrounged up the missing-book lists from dozens of libraries and found that academic books on ethics, which are presumably borrowed ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e3/jonathan-haidt-1823_books_schwitzgebel-even-scrounged-up-the-missi_1551023.jpg"
---

#  Schwitzgebel even scrounged up the missing-book lists from…

![“Schwitzgebel even scrounged up the missing-book lists from dozens of libraries and found that academic books on ethics, which are presumably borrowed mostly by ethicists, are more likely to be stolen or just never returned than books in other areas of philosophy.49 In other words, expertise in…” quote by Jonathan Haidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e3/jonathan-haidt-1823_books_schwitzgebel-even-scrounged-up-the-missi_1551023.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e3/jonathan-haidt-1823_books_schwitzgebel-even-scrounged-up-the-missi_1551023.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e3/jonathan-haidt-1823_books_schwitzgebel-even-scrounged-up-the-missi_1551023.jpg)

> ““Schwitzgebel even scrounged up the missing-book lists from dozens of libraries and found that academic books on ethics, which are presumably borrowed mostly by ethicists, are more likely to be stolen or just never returned than books in other areas of philosophy.49 In other words, expertise in moral reasoning does not seem to improve moral behavior, and it might even make it worse””

[Jonathan Haidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-haidt/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Expertise in moral philosophy does not guarantee ethical actions; scholars may even act less ethically.

**In simple terms:** Knowing ethics doesn’t ensure moral behavior.

Key Takeaway

Don’t assume knowledge equals virtue.

Themes

ethics behavior expertise

Mood

critical reflective

Type

analytical observational

When to use this quote

- academic settings
- library borrowing
- research ethics

Key Concepts

moral psychology cognitive dissonance

Questions to Reflect On

- Does expertise create a false sense of moral security?
- How can institutions reduce theft of ethical works?

A Different Perspective

Scholars may face systemic pressures that override personal ethics.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Books Ethics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books-ethics-4374440/) [Borrowed Ethicists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/borrowed-ethicists-4374439/) [Ethicists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethicists-336901/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Moral behavior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral-behavior/) [Moral reasoning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral-reasoning/)

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