Four Types Of Integrity

Integrity refers to having high moral standards and this can apply to several aspects of a person’s life. This includes ones personal, professional and intellectual life. Although each of these aspects is separate, there are some interconnections in various instances in life. This article discusses the different types of integrity as well as an example that shows an interconnection between them. It also examines the significance of this interrelation between the different types of integrity.
Personal integrity refers to the ability to maintain high moral standards even when there is no audience. It includes making moral decisions when they are difficult decisions. Instances of personal integrity include taking responsibility for one’s actions,
It involves adopting the values and principles of the chosen profession and implementing them in the workplace. For example, healthcare professionals take an oath to do no harm. A medical practitioner should uphold these values no matter what the situation is. However sometimes personal and professional integrity can clash causing a person to have difficulty in making decisions. For instance, one may have a personal bias against contraception however, as a medical practitioner; they have the obligation to provide these services regardless of their personal opinion. At times, professional integrity inhibits the maintenance of personal integrity especially in instances with difficult moral questions.
The final type of integrity is intellectual integrity. This refers to the requirement to remain honest and true to one’s opinions as well as maintain the same ethical levels that one holds others to. It involves evaluating oneself in the same manner that we evaluate others and being honest in these assessments. One is then able to identify problems within their behavior and correct these issues appropriately. For many this is a difficult form of integrity to maintain as it involves critical