Interestingly enough it seems that often the common usage of the term Integrity refers to a single absolute morality…which then conveys no meaning between people with opposing or different moralities…this is interesting, because then it also suggests that Integrity can be a sliding scale of meaning between people with only some of the shared concepts of Integrity, hmmm?. Of course, we are all guilty of making the assumption based on some subjective criteria that our favored person has Integrity, while our enemy would be condemned to completely lacking any! I wonder then, even if someone achieves and demonstrates most of the values and virtues and measures necessary…keeps that internal consistency with generally accepted morality and beliefs and principles…is Integrity a function of action or perception? Since we are fallible…since we are all more imperfect and complicated than each of us would care to admit…since none of us are pure of values, truth and morality, do we have any right to pass judgement of Integrity on anyone? At the very least, this conversation illustrates that the moment we question or proclaim someones Integrity…we are well advised to seriously consider our own.
“Integrity has no need of rules.” – Albert Camus
About Lawrence Lewis
I do a number of things professionally...but most of all and the true purpose of what I do through "my work" is to provide for my family, be a good husband and great father, and try to make a difference as a world citizen...I guess it's not much more complicated than that 🙂
Intriguing Lawrence, perhaps the perception of another’s integrity is an accumulation of observations of their track record of choices and ultimately their intent. Intentions have a spirit, be it positive or otherwise. That collection of observations inevitably forces a person to reflect on their own intentions and decide whether those who surround us mirror ours. I see this clash of intentions to be closer to the heart of the question. Everyone makes mistakes, but it’s the choices that follow that reveal.
Well said – thank you Nicole!