Integrity
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
| Revision as of 19:54, 23 March 2009 Jahsonic (Talk | contribs) ← Previous diff |
Current revision Jahsonic (Talk | contribs) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| + | {| class="toccolours" style="float: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:30em; max-width: 40%;" cellspacing="5" | ||
| + | | style="text-align: left;" | | ||
| + | "[[Scratch an 'altruist', and watch a 'hypocrite' bleed]]" --[[Michael Ghiselin]], on [[human nature]]. | ||
| + | |} | ||
| + | [[Image:Allegory of Chastity by Memling.jpg|thumb|200px|''[[Allegory of Chastity (Hans Memling)|Allegory of Chastity]]'' (1475) by Hans Memling]] | ||
| {{Template}} | {{Template}} | ||
| - | ==Noun== | ||
| - | # [[steadfast|Steadfast]] [[adherence]] to a strict [[moral]] or [[ethical]] [[code]]. | ||
| - | # The state of being [[wholesome]]; [[unimpaired]] | ||
| - | # The quality or condition of being [[complete]]; [[pure]] | ||
| - | '''Integrity''' is the basing of one's actions on a consistent framework of principles. Depth of principles and adherence of each level to the next are key determining factors. One is said to have integrity to the extent that everything he does and believes is based on the same core set of values. While those values may change, it is their consistency with each other and with the person's actions that determine his integrity. | + | In [[ethics]], integrity is regarded by many people as the honesty and [[truthfulness]] or [[accuracy]] of one's actions. Integrity can stand in opposition to [[hypocrisy]], in that judging with the standards of integrity involves regarding internal consistency as a virtue, and suggests that parties holding within themselves apparently conflicting values should account for the discrepancy or alter their beliefs. |
| - | The concept of integrity is directly linked to [[responsibility]] in that implementation spawning from principles is designed with a specific outcome in mind. When the action fails to achieve the desired effect, a change of principles is indicated. Accountability is achieved when a faulty principle is identified and changed to produce a more useful action. | + | The word ''integrity'' evolved from the Latin adjective ''[[wiktionary:integer#Latin|integer]]'', meaning ''whole'' or ''complete''. In this context, integrity is the inner sense of "wholeness" deriving from qualities such as [[honesty]] and consistency of [[Moral character|character]]. As such, one may judge that others "have integrity" to the extent that they act according to the values, beliefs and principles they claim to hold. |
| + | == In ethics == | ||
| + | |||
| + | In [[ethics]] when discussing [[behavior]] and [[morality]], an individual is said to possess the virtue of integrity if the individual's actions are based upon an internally consistent framework of principles. These principles should uniformly adhere to sound logical [[axiom]]s or postulates. One can describe a person as having ethical integrity to the extent that the individual's actions, beliefs, methods, measures and principles all derive from a single [[value system|core group of values]]. An individual must therefore be flexible and willing to adjust these values in order to maintain consistency when these values are challenged; such as when an expected test result fails to be congruent with all observed outcomes. Because such flexibility is a form of [[accountability]], it is regarded as a [[moral responsibility]] as well as a [[virtue]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | An individual's [[value system]] provides a [[Conceptual framework|framework]] within which the individual acts in ways which are consistent and expected. Integrity can be seen as the state or condition of having such a framework, and acting congruently within the given framework. | ||
| + | |||
| + | One essential aspect of a consistent framework is its avoidance of any unwarranted (arbitrary) exceptions for a particular person or group — especially the person or group that holds the framework. In law, this principle of universal application requires that even those in positions of official power be subject to the same laws as pertain to their fellow citizens. In personal ethics, this principle requires that one should not act according to any rule that one would not wish to see universally followed. For example, one should not steal unless one would want to live in a world in which everyone was a thief. The philosopher [[Immanuel Kant]] formally described the principle of universal application in his [[categorical imperative]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The concept of integrity implies a [[wholeness]], a comprehensive corpus of beliefs, often referred to as a [[worldview]]. This concept of wholeness emphasizes [[honesty]] and [[Authenticity (philosophy)|authenticity]], requiring that one act at all times in accordance with the individual's chosen worldview. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Ethical integrity is not synonymous with the good, as Zuckert and Zuckert show about [[Ted Bundy]]: | ||
| + | |||
| + | :"When caught, he defended his actions in terms of the [[fact-value distinction]]. He scoffed at those, like the professors from whom he learned the fact-value distinction, who still lived their lives as if there were truth-value to value claims. He thought they were fools and that he was one of the few who had the courage and integrity to live a consistent life in light of the truth that value judgments, including the command "Thou shalt not kill," are merely subjective assertions." | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Contrast== | ||
| + | *[[Selling out]] | ||
| == See also == | == See also == | ||
| + | * [[Bodily integrity]] | ||
| + | * [[Doubt]] | ||
| + | * [[Honesty]] | ||
| + | * [[Authenticity (philosophy)]] | ||
| - | * [[validity]] | + | {{GFDL}} |
| - | * [[doubt]] | + | |
| - | * [[honesty]] | + | |
| - | * [[data integrity]] | + | |
| - | {{GFDL}} | + | |
Current revision
|
"Scratch an 'altruist', and watch a 'hypocrite' bleed" --Michael Ghiselin, on human nature. |
|
Related e |
|
Featured: |
In ethics, integrity is regarded by many people as the honesty and truthfulness or accuracy of one's actions. Integrity can stand in opposition to hypocrisy, in that judging with the standards of integrity involves regarding internal consistency as a virtue, and suggests that parties holding within themselves apparently conflicting values should account for the discrepancy or alter their beliefs.
The word integrity evolved from the Latin adjective integer, meaning whole or complete. In this context, integrity is the inner sense of "wholeness" deriving from qualities such as honesty and consistency of character. As such, one may judge that others "have integrity" to the extent that they act according to the values, beliefs and principles they claim to hold.
In ethics
In ethics when discussing behavior and morality, an individual is said to possess the virtue of integrity if the individual's actions are based upon an internally consistent framework of principles. These principles should uniformly adhere to sound logical axioms or postulates. One can describe a person as having ethical integrity to the extent that the individual's actions, beliefs, methods, measures and principles all derive from a single core group of values. An individual must therefore be flexible and willing to adjust these values in order to maintain consistency when these values are challenged; such as when an expected test result fails to be congruent with all observed outcomes. Because such flexibility is a form of accountability, it is regarded as a moral responsibility as well as a virtue.
An individual's value system provides a framework within which the individual acts in ways which are consistent and expected. Integrity can be seen as the state or condition of having such a framework, and acting congruently within the given framework.
One essential aspect of a consistent framework is its avoidance of any unwarranted (arbitrary) exceptions for a particular person or group — especially the person or group that holds the framework. In law, this principle of universal application requires that even those in positions of official power be subject to the same laws as pertain to their fellow citizens. In personal ethics, this principle requires that one should not act according to any rule that one would not wish to see universally followed. For example, one should not steal unless one would want to live in a world in which everyone was a thief. The philosopher Immanuel Kant formally described the principle of universal application in his categorical imperative.
The concept of integrity implies a wholeness, a comprehensive corpus of beliefs, often referred to as a worldview. This concept of wholeness emphasizes honesty and authenticity, requiring that one act at all times in accordance with the individual's chosen worldview.
Ethical integrity is not synonymous with the good, as Zuckert and Zuckert show about Ted Bundy:
- "When caught, he defended his actions in terms of the fact-value distinction. He scoffed at those, like the professors from whom he learned the fact-value distinction, who still lived their lives as if there were truth-value to value claims. He thought they were fools and that he was one of the few who had the courage and integrity to live a consistent life in light of the truth that value judgments, including the command "Thou shalt not kill," are merely subjective assertions."
Contrast
See also
