James and the writer of Proverbs both imply one of the central tenets of the Christian worldview: there exist right and wrong, and we can know them for certain. Nonetheless, many of us take liberties with “truth” in life, but how much easier it is to take a shortcut when we’re not faced with our “authority” on a regular basis? Consider, for example, acts of cheating and plagiarism. At what point does a "shortcut" become cheating or plagiarism at the doctoral level? Explain.

If you are at the doctoral level, please excuse my bluntness, but you really should know. If this is about James and Proverbs, that is an entirely different matter.

You should consider the simplest route to be the best route, especially with James. Of all the writers in the Bible, particularly in the New Testament, James was the most adamant about action representing theory. It is my opinion that he believed almost nothing that was said until it was lived. Even something written did not carry the weight of something that was actually lived. There was a special power about a statement that represented life poetry.

Proverbs has an even simpler view. The object of Proverbs was to say how life should be lived to be on the path of righteousness. Proverbs also talks about the consequences of deviating from the path of righteousness.

Your question is what happens when you deviate from the preset authority that you must be obedient to. The answer is the moment you actually deviate. I am no doctoral student, but the nagging voice we all hear guides us. We know the answer to your question the moment we ask it. As Jesus said To Think a Transgression is to Do the Transgression. (Matt 5:28)