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Suppose I see that Book X is cited by several papers with reference to some particular Fact Y. I wish to cite Fact Y. As far as I know, Book X is the only reference for Fact Y.

I have never looked at Book X. Nonetheless, I cite it like this:

'Fact Y' (see Book X)

My question is: Is this ethical, given that I've never looked at Book X?

More context for my question. I am NOT asking whether this is good scientific practice. I am NOT asking how a good scientist should actually go about citing Fact Y. I am NOT asking if this could undermine your credibility as a scientist.

Instead, I am asking this question because it seems to be a somewhat-common practice. And moreover, as far as I know, no scientist has ever been issued even an official rebuke for engaging in such practice. This would suggest to me that this practice is not considered to be unethical.

Of course, it is not binary as to whether a practice is unethical. But I would simply like to know whether the academic community in general considers this to be even a mildly unethical practice. Or if it is perhaps very slightly unethical, but not a big deal. Or if it is not in the least bit unethical.

Suppose I see that Book X is cited by several papers with reference to some particular Fact Y. I wish to cite Fact Y. As far as I know, Book X is the only reference for Fact Y.

I have never looked at Book X. Nonetheless, I cite it like this:

'Fact Y' (see Book X)

My question is: Is this ethical, given that I've never looked at Book X?

More context for my question. I am NOT asking whether this is good scientific practice. I am NOT asking how a good scientist should actually go about citing Fact Y. I am NOT asking if this could undermine your credibility as a scientist.

Instead, I am asking this question because it seems to be a somewhat-common practice. And moreover, as far as I know, no scientist has ever been issued even an official rebuke (much less fired) for engaging in such practice. This would suggest to me that this practice is not considered to be unethical.

Of course, it is not binary as to whether a practice is unethical. But I would simply like to know whether the academic community in general considers this to be even a mildly unethical practice. Or if it is perhaps very slightly unethical, but not a big deal. Or if it is not in the least bit unethical.

Suppose I see that book X is cited several times with reference to some particular fact Y.

For whatever reason, I am not able to get my hands on book X (or perhaps it just takes me more effort than I am willing to expend).

Nonetheless I wish to make a mention of fact Y. And as far as I know, book X is the only reference for fact Y.

Would it be ethical for me to cite book X in my paper, even though I have never even caught a glimpse of that book and have no idea what it actually says (other than what I've seen reported in other works)?

I'm not asking this question because I am thinking about doing this. Instead, I was motivated to post this question because I just happened to come across one clear instance of such practice. My sense is that while this practice is not something people would be proud to admit having done, yet it is probably not uncommon. And so I simply wanted to know: To what extent is it frowned upon or regarded as unethical? Presumably on the scale of unethical behavior, it is considered less unethical than sexually harassing your students. But how much less so?

Nor am I asking if such practice is a good idea or good scientific practice. (One comment and one answer seem to be saying that it is not good scientific practice. Which I agree with.) Instead, I'm asking if it is viewed among academics as unethical. (And to what degree: Is it no big deal? Or something to be deeply ashamed of if you're caught?)

Suppose I see that Book X is cited by several papers with reference to some particular Fact Y. I wish to cite Fact Y. As far as I know, Book X is the only reference for Fact Y.

I have never looked at Book X. Nonetheless, I cite it like this:

'Fact Y' (see Book X)

My question is: Is this ethical, given that I've never looked at Book X?

More context for my question. I am NOT asking whether this is good scientific practice. I am NOT asking how a good scientist should actually go about citing Fact Y. I am NOT asking if this could undermine your credibility as a scientist. 

Instead, I am asking this question because it seems to be a somewhat-common practice. And moreover, as far as I know, no scientist has ever been issued even an official rebuke for engaging in such practice. This would suggest to me that this practice is not considered to be unethical.

Of course, it is not binary as to whether a practice is unethical. But I would simply like to know whether the academic community in general considers this to be even a mildly unethical practice. Or if it is perhaps very slightly unethical, but not a big deal. Or if it is not in the least bit unethical.

Suppose I see that book X is cited several times with reference to some particular fact Y.

For whatever reason, I am not able to get my hands on book X (or perhaps it just takes me more effort than I am willing to expend).

Nonetheless I wish to make a mention of fact Y. And as far as I know, book X is the only reference for fact Y.

Would it be ethical for me to cite book X in my paper, even though I have never even caught a glimpse of that book and have no idea what it actually says (other than what I've seen reported in other works)?

Addendum. I'm not asking this question because I am thinking about doing this. Instead, I was motivated to post this question because I just happened to come across one clear instance of such practice. My sense is that while this practice is not something people would be proud to admit having done, yet it is probably not uncommon. And so I simply wanted to know: To what extent is it frowned upon or regarded as unethical? Presumably on the scale of unethical behavior, it is considered less unethical than sexually harassing your students. But how much less so?

Addendum 2. I'm not asking if such practice is a good idea or good scientific practice. (One comment and one answer seem to be saying that it is not good scientific practice. Which I agree with.) Instead, I'm asking if it is viewed among academics as unethical. (And to what degree: Is it no big deal? Or something to be deeply ashamed of if you're caught?)

Suppose I see that book X is cited several times with reference to some particular fact Y.

For whatever reason, I am not able to get my hands on book X (or perhaps it just takes me more effort than I am willing to expend).

Nonetheless I wish to make a mention of fact Y. And as far as I know, book X is the only reference for fact Y.

Would it be ethical for me to cite book X in my paper, even though I have never even caught a glimpse of that book and have no idea what it actually says (other than what I've seen reported in other works)?

I'm not asking this question because I am thinking about doing this. Instead, I was motivated to post this question because I just happened to come across one clear instance of such practice. My sense is that while this practice is not something people would be proud to admit having done, yet it is probably not uncommon. And so I simply wanted to know: To what extent is it frowned upon or regarded as unethical? Presumably on the scale of unethical behavior, it is considered less unethical than sexually harassing your students. But how much less so?

Nor am I asking if such practice is a good idea or good scientific practice. (One comment and one answer seem to be saying that it is not good scientific practice. Which I agree with.) Instead, I'm asking if it is viewed among academics as unethical. (And to what degree: Is it no big deal? Or something to be deeply ashamed of if you're caught?)