The third possibility

Submitted by Ramana Rajgopaul (India), Jul 14, 2008 at 06:15

There is the third possibility. It is far more common than the two possibilities suggested by you. It is total intellectual bankruptcy. Say things to make a point and substantiate it by seemingly authoritative quotes. Accuracy of the quotes not being an issue at all and having protected oneself from charges of plagiarism, by ascribing to an author what is quoted, convey a measure of authority without being honest about it.

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