Integrity

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about the ethical concept. For other uses, see Integrity (disambiguation).

Look up integrity in
Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Integrity is the basing of one's actions on an internally 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.

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.

1 Law
2 Science
3 (Tests of) Professional Integrity
4 Other Integrities
5 Mathematics
6 See also
7 External links

[edit] Law

An adversarial process can have general integrity when both sides demonstrate willingness to share evidence, follow guidelines of debate and accept rulings from an arbitrator in a good faith effort to arrive at either the truth or a mutually equitable outcome. An honorable presentation of the case measures both sides of the argument with a consistent set of principles. Failure to present principles in accordance with observation or to try them unequally can weaken a case.

[edit] Science

The integrity of science is based on a set of testing principles known as the scientific method. To the extent that a proof follows the requirements of the method, it is considered scientific. The scientific method includes measures to ensure unbiased testing and the requirement that the hypothesis have falsifiability.

[edit] (Tests of) Professional Integrity

Integrity (honesty) tests seek to find out which persons are more likely to hide nasty events from their past (as doing prison time, getting psychiatric treatment, alcohol problems, etc.) or are likely to cause trouble for the employer. These tests are based on certain assumptions, namely that such persons report more dishonest behavior, they try to find reasons in order to justify such behavior, they think others are likely to commit crimes (like theft or so), they are impulsive and are more likely to think that deviant behavior has to be severely punished.

The pretension of such tests to detect fake answers is crucial in this respect, because the naive really believe such outright lie and behave accordingly, reporting their past deviance because they fear that it may otherwise be detected from their answers.

[edit] Other Integrities

Studies of integrity also exist in philosophy of action, philosophy of medicine, the mind, cognition, consciousness, and politics. It may also be seen in light of different philosophies of wholeness, such as commitment, authenticity or esteem.

[edit] Mathematics

In the philosophy of mathematics, integrity is based on consistency of mathematical proof, which one can test weakly or strongly, as part of the process of differentiating it from folk mathematics. Mathematical integrity is strengthened by being defined as the result of a tautology and where it demonstrably forms a part of a larger and consistent body of mathematics.