Integrity
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{{about|the ethical concept|other uses}}
{{wiktionary|integrity}}
In discussions on [[behavior]] and [[morality]], one view of the [[Property (philosophy)| property]] of '''integrity''' sees it as the [[virtue]] of basing actions on an internally-[[consistent]] framework of [[principle]]s. This scenario may emphasize [[depth of principle]]s and adherence of each [[level of principle| level]] to the next.{{Fact|date=July 2008}} One can describe a person as having integrity to the extent that everything that that person does derives from the same core set of [[Value (personal and cultural)|values]]. While those values may change, their consistency with each other and with the person's [[action (philosophy)| action]]s determine the person's degree of integrity.
Some commentators{{who?}} stress the idea of ''integrity'' as personal [[honesty]]: acting according to one's [[belief]]s and values at all times. Speaking about integrity can emphasize the "[[wholeness]]" or "[[intact]]ness" of a moral stance or attitude (harking back wittingly or unwittingly to the etymological parallels of the word in the [[Latin]] ''intactus'', meaning "untouched"). Relevant views of wholeness may also emphasize [[commitment]] and [[Authenticity (philosophy)|authenticity]].{{Fact|date=July 2008}} [[Structural engineering|Structural integrity in engineering]] derives from this concept.{{Fact|date=July 2008}}
Some{{who?}} regard integrity as a [[virtue]] in that they see [[accountability]] and [[moral responsibility]] as necessary tools for maintaining consistency between one's actions and one's principles, methods and measures, especially when an expected result appears incongruent with observed outcome.
== Evaluating/measuring integrity ==
Popular discussions of integrity often see the concept as an all-or-nothing affair: one describes an approved person as "having integrity" (as an absolute), but condemns an enemy or a collective enemy organization as "completely lacking in integrity".
[[English language|English]]-speakers may measure integrity in non-enumerated units called "scraps", speaking of preserving one's "last scraps of integrity". This may imply that integrity in such situations can appear brittle or fragile — and apt to tarnish or decay.
See also [[structural integrity]].
== Scientific integrity ==
The integrity of [[science]] (as a process and as a [[Body of Knowledge| body of knowledge]]) relies on a set of testing{{Fact|date=May 2008}} known as the [[scientific method]]. To the extent that a [[proof]] follows the requirements of the method, one can consider it scientific. The [[Popperian]] scientific method includes measures to ensure unbiased testing and the requirement that the [[hypothesis| hypotheses]] have [[falsifiability]].
== (Tests of) professional integrity ==
Integrity (honesty) tests aim towards identifying which persons may hide negative or derogatory events from their past (such as doing [[prison]] time, getting [[psychiatric treatment]], [[alcohol]] problems, etc.) or which persons may cause trouble for an [[employer]]. These tests make certain assumptions, namely<ref>
van Minden, Jack J.R. (2005). "Alles over psychologische tests". ''Business Contact'', page 207. ISBN 978-90-254-0415-4.
</ref>
that such persons report more dishonest behavior, they try to find reasons in order to justify such behavior, they think others more likely to commit crimes (like theft, for example), they exhibit [[impulsive]] behavior and tend to think that society should severely punish deviant behavior.
The pretension of such tests to detect fake answers plays a crucial role in this respect, because the naive really believe such outright lies and behave accordingly, reporting their past deviance because they fear that otherwise their answers will reveal it. The more [[Pollyanna]]ish the answers, the higher the integrity score.<ref>
Compare van Minden, Jack J.R. (2005). "Alles over psychologische tests". ''Business Contact'', page 207. ISBN 978-90-254-0415-4.
</ref>
== Mathematical integrity ==
The [[philosophy of mathematics]] bases integrity 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 becomes strengthened through definition as the result of a [[Tautology (logic)|tautology]] and where it demonstrably forms a part of a larger and consistent body of mathematics.
== Other integrities ==
{{Expand-section|date=May 2008}}
Disciplines and fields with an interest in integrity include [[philosophy of action]], philosophy of [[medicine]], the [[mind]], [[cognition]], [[consciousness]], [[materials science]], engineering and [[politics]].
== See also ==
* [[validity]]
* [[doubt]]
* [[honesty]]
== External links ==
* [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/integrity/ Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry]
* {{cite book | last= van Minden | first= Jack J.R.| authorlink= J. J. R. van Minden | publisher= Business Contact | date= 2005 | pages= 206-208 | title= Alles over psychologische tests | url= http://www.nl.bol.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/nl/-/EUR/BOL_DisplayProductInformation-Start?Section=BOOK&BOL_OWNER_ID=1001004001667648 | isbn= 978-90-254-0415-4 }}.
== Footnotes ==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Core issues in ethics]]
[[Category:Virtues]]
[[Category:Positive psychology]]
[[Category:Evaluation]]
[[de:Integrität]]
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[[pt:Integridade]]
[[ru:Порядочность]]
[[simple:Integrity]]
[[sr:Интегритет]]
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