Integrity refers to a strict adherence to moral codes, reflected in transparency, honesty, and complete harmony in what one thinks, says, and does. In other words, it is where a state of systems performs the intended functions without being interfered with or impaired by changes in internal or external environment. Integrity has remained among the most vital virtues. There are cases where this term is used to imply moral uprightness. According to Burrow, integrity involves two fundamental intuitions. First, integrity is a formal relation primary to oneself. Second, it is an important connection in acting morally, which is the presence of normative or substantive constraints on acting with integrity. The concept of integrity can, therefore, not be well understood without looking at it as standing for something, as the integration of self, identity maintenance, virtue as well as moral purpose.
According to Scherkoske, integrity is an epistemic notion, which is a stable disposition and puts its possessor in an epistemic position which is good and reliable; thus, consequently leading to success. It is normally determined by how one cares for the self. Scherkoske further claims that his/her appropriate decision for his/her best judgment is among the characters of a person’s integrity. He added the individuals with integrity were consistent in their actions and knew exactly what they stood for, which was normally dependent on how they made judgment within the larger community. Personally, I have always believed in the saying that one who stands for nothing will fall for anything. I, therefore, agree that integrity requires appropriate consideration in the process of deliberating in the community over what ought to be done. In this regard; therefore, one does not only stand up un-hypocritically for their best judgment, but respects other people’s judgment. The same is noted by The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, which emphasized that integrity was a possibly dangerous trait in its possession as it could lead to strong-minded people acting without appropriate consideration for the perspectives and needs of others. Thus, I believe that integrity fits its possessor with what is required in deliberating matters as a major deliberator in the community with other deliberators since it equips one with traits of standing for a specific thing.
As self integration, integrity is, therefore, a matter of persons inculcating or integrating some parts of their personality into intact whole and harmony. It is, therefore, a matter of keeping the uncorrupted and self-intact. According to The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, self-integration serves as an achievement rather than a quality or disposition such as strength of will. The study further shows that self-integration represents a formal account of integrity. They further argue that fully integrated persons may not fall victims of conflicts of desires in circumstances where they are required to make choices. Finally, integrity puts moral constraints and requirements on the kinds of commitments that a person of integrity should remain true. Owing to this fact; therefore, a person of integrity should not be mistaken morally. According to Scherkoske, the term refers to an epistemic virtue which conception must be broad .
In conclusion, integrity is an extremely important aspect of a human life, which can be explained from various accounts like in standing for something and maintaining identity. This study brings out integrity as a core value and principle, which should be always observed.
Gregor Brown is the author of this article. See his another post entitled https://theplagiarism.com/articles/why-academic-writing-is-important importance of academic writing.