Chixe

On your partner: Nope.

In a fair contest: Nope.

With someone who is trying to hurt you or yours: Yes indeed.

I would have to say if you're talking about bending the rules for a competitive advantage, I don't see that as cheating.

I've gone behind many a coworkers back to climb the corporate ladder... it sucks but at the company I was at, it was essentially an encouraged practice as the owner only gave raises to people he saw as "ruthless" enough to deserve one.

I am an objectivist. I believe that as long as the potential benefit substantially outweighs the risk, then you should cheat, if it'll further your goals.

I know that this is a "less than popular" point of view, to say the least, but I wasn't going for popularity points. I wanted to give an honest answer.

sandwiches,

What you describe isn't precisely objectivist. To be true to objectivism you would also not initiate force against another. Personally I carry that forward to not impinging on another's rights, which in most cases would not reconcile with what you've just said... but that is just me.

I generally try to stick to the whole "do what I want so long as it does not interfere with someone else life, liberty, or property" but some issues I move counter to that line...