November 7, 2005
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This week’s topics for Socrates Cafe are “What is art?” and “What is integrity?” There is some lively discussion of both topics on the site.
I choose to write on “What is integrity?”
The quick and easy answer to that question is that integrity is personal morality, that is, being honest, standing up for one’s beliefs, being a champion of righteous causes, and all the other qualities that are part of personal morality. Certainly those are part of integrity, but I think it is more than that.
The word integrity also means to keep whole or in perfect condition. I think that applies to the integrity of the person as well as to the integrity of the bridge. To show real integrity involves a certain amount of concern for the condition of oneself.
It is so easy in our culture to become so busy that we become fragmented. We are pulled in many directions and asked to be responsible for many things at the same time, resulting in inability to do anything really well. That is a breach of integrity. To have good integrity means to be able to limit ones responsibilities to the number that can be well carried out.
I believe that the definition of integrity as wholeness also involves attention to the spiritual. By spiritual, I do not necessarily mean religion. Some people can be deeply spiritual without being religious. To be whole means having a concern for the health of mind as well as body, though, and reaching inner peace by whatever means it can be reached.
Under this definition, integrity would include developing satisfying relationships, since that is part of being a whole and healthy person. So, integrity requires attending to those people who are important in our lives.
Within the broad scope of this definition, real integrity would also include caring for one’s health, since to be whole requires maintaining the optimum level of health. I do not think that necessarily means being totally healthy. It means achieving the highest level of health possible at that time.
So, under my definition, to have real integrity, a person must be able to prioritize and to determine what is really important. He/she must be able to manage his/her life so that he/she can accomplish what is needed and do it well. He/she must guard and protect friendships and take care of his/her own physical and mental well being. He/she must also have a well thought out and well developed moral code. That is a person with integrity, a person who is whole.
Comments (12)
Thanks for your post on integrity. Hopefully, we’ll get some discussion going on this topic. It will be interesting to see where it goes this week. You’ve made a good start and bring up an interesting idea of morality being important to integrity. Let’s see what the others think.
This is a comprehensive definition and a guide for living as well. .How important is over all consistency in determining if one has integrity? I was thinking about people who sincerely strife to have integrity and lapse into old habits or give into temptation…if the overall effort is good can momentary failures of will or adherence to a moral code undermine that person’s overa;ll integrity. I had not considered taking care of oneself as part of having integrity. I will look at it differently now.
After reading your post, thoughts come to mind for which you’ve been a catalyst. Your view that integrity and morality go hand in hand, and with the examples you’ve written, you not only have shown a personal, yet global view – very, very well thought out. Enjoyed your write. Thanks, Lisa.
I think you have identified many by-products of integrity. I believe you’re describing ones knowledge of himself, which goes hand in hand with integrity. Though, I think this is more what our host is looking for than simply a definition.
Nance,
You did it again this is a great post. You have listed many ideas about integrity.
I enjoyed it as well as your last one .Thank you.
Peace and Love:)
I think that a person that strives for integrity has to be spritual, but a definition of ‘spritual’ is called for. How does a person reach that inner peace? I love your post!
I liked how you took this to a very personal level, from health to friendships etc… really good points! Good essay Nance… really good! I RYC’ed your question on my own blog rather then cluttering up yours as I do tend to write… long! ::smiles:: Have a great day and take care of you and yours… ~Namaste, T.L.
Yes, morality is definatly important to integrity. Interestingly, I had written about morality before I even saw the topic. IMHO it still fits.
some interesting ideas here. Nicely said…
Good job, Nancy! I do have some questions. Does a person with integrity need to champion righteous causes? How can we be of ‘perfect condition’ if we are imperfect? One of the definitions of integrity is ‘completeness,’ could a non-believing, non-spiritual person still have integrity, if they deemed themselves complete? Can a person that does not prioritize still have integrity? You mention, ‘a person who is whole’-how is that defined, and are whole and completeness the same?
I really appreciate your comments. In re-reading, I see where I made 2 mistakes, and have corrected them. I can see where someone may have miscontrued what I meant, because art is not all about just creativity. Thank you!
What a WONDERFUL post!!! I think being spiritual is important too. What a thoughtful and whole post. I liked how you talked about being not being fragmented, taking care of health, etc. That there wasn’t a “right” or “wrong” (my words not yours).
Seems everyone is doing there shopping, getting ready for the holidays, etc. Haven’t started yet.
RYC: I didn’t know that art effected reading. Now there is such a push on reading but very little on art (so sad).
GREAT POST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!