Integrity, what is it & why is it important or not

[Clarence_Boddicker]

What are people's definition of integrity? Is it an important trait to possess? If so, are there non life threatening situations that allow or call for relaxing whatever degree of integrity we have? Besides criminal acts, what do you think are the most egregious violations of a person's integrity or ethical/moral code? Is hypocrisy the opposite of integrity? If so, is hypocrisy a commendable trait, if it helps you gain what you want? Can a person possess integrity when it comes to relationships, but be a hypocrite when it comes to say running or managing a business?

[PaperCrane]

For me it's having convictions and standing by them. Taking responsibility for your actions. Possessing discretion and tact. Knowing oneself and your boundaries. Not using others to your own benefit even when opportunity presents itself. Keeping promises even when the word "promise" isn't used. Having the capacity for candor when faced with hard social situations.

 

I would agree that a hypocrite violates the principles of having integrity. However, it depends on ones moral code. If one were to say they would never steal. Let's say the life of a friend may depend on the act of theft in a particular situation without another viable option at the time. Would that theft to save a life violate integrity due to becoming a hypocrite? Or would it expound on the virtue of compassion and self sacrifice when taking the internal and external ramifications for the act but saving the friend?

[jen1447]

Many questions!

 

What are people's definition of integrity?

Integrity is bscly honesty as a personal principle.

 

Is it an important trait to possess?

Yes.

 

If so, are there non life threatening situations that allow or call for relaxing whatever degree of integrity we have?

No. Integrity doesn't mean constant, total, brutal honesty at all times, so you can not annihilate ppl with that degree of honesty and still have integrity. That said, what it truly is can't be arbitrarily turned on and off, no matter the severity of the application.

 

Besides criminal acts, what do you think are the most egregious violations of a person's integrity or ethical/moral code?

Lying to someone in a way that directly harms them. Not being accountable. Misrepresenting yourself.

 

Is hypocrisy the opposite of integrity?

No. It's impossible for a hypocrite to have integrity, as they're being dishonest - mainly with themselves. (That's intellectual integrity specifically - having the ethics of telling yourself the truth.) But hypocrisy is a specific thing in itself, not simply the opposite of integrity.

 

If so, is hypocrisy a commendable trait, if it helps you gain what you want?

No, that's pragmatism, which is a philosophically shaky principle.

 

Can a person possess integrity when it comes to relationships, but be a hypocrite when it comes to say running or managing a business?

No, you either have integrity or you don't, across the board. You don't have Integrity Tuesday and A-hole Wednesday and Cutthroat Thursday. That said, many business ppl do most definitely apply a veneer of 'ethics' to parts of their lives that they don't extend to business. And of course many ppl are utterly unethical when it comes to romance and personal relationships.

[Gloria25]

For me I guess intergrity means "character"....being true...doing the right thing - especially when no one is looking.

 

Also, IMO, one's true character and integrity IS put to the test in times of adversity. I mean, it's too easy to say "I won't ever do this/that" until the opportunity arises and you actually ARE in that position.

 

Outside of criminal acts, I think one violates his/her integrity when he/she lies, steals, takes advantage of people, situations. You can't trust them.

 

Eh, some people I guess can have a lack of integrity in one area and not another, but IMO, not always.

 

I saw a Nick Cage movie, God of War or something and dude was a slimeball all around. He sold guns to warlords, cheated on his wife - but walked around in his nice little suit and put on this front of being a businessman/family man.

[ManyDissapoint]

For me it's having convictions and standing by them. Taking responsibility for your actions. Possessing discretion and tact. Knowing oneself and your boundaries. Not using others to your own benefit even when opportunity presents itself. Keeping promises even when the word "promise" isn't used. Having the capacity for candor when faced with hard social situations.

 

I would agree that a hypocrite violates the principles of having integrity. However, it depends on ones moral code. If one were to say they would never steal. Let's say the life of a friend may depend on the act of theft in a particular situation without another viable option at the time. Would that theft to save a life violate integrity due to becoming a hypocrite? Or would it expound on the virtue of compassion and self sacrifice when taking the internal and external ramifications for the act but saving the friend?

 

This is pretty good. Well said.

[pureinheart]

What are people's definition of integrity?

 

A decent grasp of what's right and what's wrong.

 

Is it an important trait to possess? If so, are there non life threatening situations that allow or call for relaxing whatever degree of integrity we have?

 

Yes. No.

 

Besides criminal acts, what do you think are the most egregious violations of a person's integrity or ethical/moral code?

 

Lying to oneself.

 

 

Is hypocrisy the opposite of integrity? If so, is hypocrisy a commendable trait, if it helps you gain what you want? Can a person possess integrity when it comes to relationships, but be a hypocrite when it comes to say running or managing a business?

 

There's the Biblical definition(s) of hypocrisy and the secular. Are you speaking of the secular?

[Clarence_Boddicker]

For me it's having convictions and standing by them. Taking responsibility for your actions. Possessing discretion and tact. Knowing oneself and your boundaries. Not using others to your own benefit even when opportunity presents itself. Keeping promises even when the word "promise" isn't used. Having the capacity for candor when faced with hard social situations.

 

I would agree that a hypocrite violates the principles of having integrity. However, it depends on ones moral code. If one were to say they would never steal. Let's say the life of a friend may depend on the act of theft in a particular situation without another viable option at the time. Would that theft to save a life violate integrity due to becoming a hypocrite? Or would it expound on the virtue of compassion and self sacrifice when taking the internal and external ramifications for the act but saving the friend?

 

 

Of course if someone's life is on the line, then it's justifiable to steal or whatever within reason to save them.

[PaperCrane]

Okay, so if it's within reason.

 

What defines reasonable? Is it what a normal person describes? What's normal?

 

The way a person describes what is 'reasonable' lends a lot, I think, into their inner moral code and will cater to finding out interpersonal compatibility.

 

I don't think I could field this question on a first date though without getting some weird looks

[Nikki Sahagin]

For me, integrity involves character. Integrity is something that is unique to you and you should behave with integrity whether alone or in any group of people. Integrity connects to your morals, your values, how you speak, how you behave. I value integrity highly.