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The Rules about the Rules Stephen L. Carter Stephen L. Carter is an American law professor, social-policy writer, columnist, and a bestselling author. Carter graduated from several Ivy League schools earning eight honorary degrees. In 1996, Stephen L. Carter wrote a book length meditation on his idea of what integrity means. His purpose of “The Rules about the Rules” regards the current state of public integrity. Although many Americans in today’s society do not know right from wrong, I agree with Carter’s response to what integrity really means. In the essay “The Rules about the Rules,” Carter sets forth his views on integrity. Throughout this essay, he explains to readers the three rules of integrity. The first step is the difficult process of discerning one’s deepest understanding of right and wrong. The second step is knowing what one believes. This means one knows and understands what is right from wrong and puts what is right into effect. Last but not least, the third and most important step is the person must be willing to say that he or she is acting upon what he or she has decided what is right. Carter believes integrity is a moral virtue that should be consistently acted upon throughout readers’ lives. …show more content…
In my opinion, a person with integrity is someone who carries themselves the same way in all different situations. Integrity requires a best-effort attempt to do the right thing, no matter what the situation is. I agree with Carter’s opinion on integrity. Carter makes it clear to his readers that integrity is a characteristic all humans should acquire but often lack. Americans tend to take the easy way out of situations instead of owning up to what he or she has done. For example, Christians are supposed to attend church on Sundays as a part of their religion. Myself, living a life of a Christian, I don’t always attend Mass on Sunday. I often find myself looking for excuses not to go. It is easier to get an extra hour of sleep in the morning rather than getting ready and attending. I believe human beings today tend to do the same, except with simple daily tasks. In Stephen L.
Carter’s passage, “The Rules about the Rules,” he argues the reality about integrity in American culture today. I believe whole-heartedly with what he was trying to get across. It is very true that cheating and lying are two sins, which are, overlooked in society today. Cheating can begin at a very young age, first a homework assignment, then a major test, the cheating continues to build and look as something of no significance. America’s culture doesn’t even realize this major problem. Our society's own government, some of the world’s greatest politicians, got into office by use of cheating and lying. People of great authority show no integrity. Leaders should be someone who shows great integrity as a leader and role
model. There is much more required to living a life of integrity. Integrity is having complete control over how one expresses themselves, knowing right from wrong, and acting upon what one believes is right. In today’s society, integrity is a quality one should do their best to obtain. It serves as a basis for value judgments. Human beings need to quit rationalizing, find the integrity within themselves, and take personal responsibility of their actions. These qualities are the key to success. After reading a passage from “The Rules about the Rules,” I agree with Carter’s opinion on what integrity really means.
Lewis, C. W., & Gilman, S. C. (2005). THE ETHICS CHALLENGE IN PUBLIC SERVICE A Problem-Solving Guide (2nd ed.).
In Stephen L Carter's "The Insufficiency of Honesty", he attempts to dissect exactly what it means to be honest and to have integrity in the worlds view. We soon realize as a reader that it takes a greater deal of effort to participate in
For instance, a person who cheats in a game which essentially helps out his team for the better, makes not only his teammates joyous of his advantage but the fans too. The problem behind this, Carter argues, is that people essentially would get upset if this scenario was the other way around, and the player ended up telling the truth that he didn’t deserve that advantage. Americans definition of integrity is someone who speaks the “truth” and who is honest. They lack the true understanding of integrity that Carter explains to be a person who is honest and acts on it. A person who is not afraid of breaking the boundaries of what is morally right is someone who has integrity. Carter provides a good explanation of why people lack integrity and it’s because they do not fully understand from what is right and wrong.
Nye, Howard. PHIL 250 B1, Winter Term 2014 Lecture Notes – Ethics. University of Alberta.
In “The Death of Honesty,” William Damon raises the concern that current apathy towards increasing dishonesty threatens democracy. In this essay taken from the online volume “Endangered Virtues ” published by the Hoover Institute in 2012, Damon initially concedes that there are situations where lying could be considered acceptable. However, with that being acknowledged, he transitions to his main premise that honesty is losing its importance in society and will lead to its downfall, and he cites examples in politics, law, journalism, and business in contemporary society where dishonesty is expected, and even, condoned. Damon finally directs his remarks pointedly at teachers and current students who accept cheating in schools. To persuade his audience of university students and academic scholars, Damon uses many rhetorical devices and styles including classical logos, pathos, and ethos, and allusions to make an ethical appeal regarding the necessity for honesty.
“Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody's going to know whether you did it or not,” says Oprah Winfrey. Integrity is shown through unyielding support of ideals on morals, while being complete or deliberate. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, there are several strong examples of integrity. The author in To Kill a Mockingbird illustrates integrity fully and completely through two characters that really stood out to me: Atticus and Mrs. Dubose.
Integrity is the basing of one's actions on an internally consistent framework of principles. Meaning, one who has integrity bases their actions on a moral code of honor, character, strength, and courage. These principles guide a character’s motive and cause, putting public image aside to lead a life chivalry and conviction. One example this is Willie Bodega of Bodega Dreams by Ernesto Quiñonez. Although Willie’s means are shady, he strives for the betterment of Spanish Harlem through the improvement of abandoned and damaged apartments. Next, there is John Proctor of The Crucible by Arthur Miller. Proctor refuses to provide a false confession is a true religious and personal stand. By refusing to give up his personal integrity Proctor proclaims his conviction that such integrity will bring him to heaven. Lastly, there is Holden Caulfield of Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. However, Holden displays the intrinsic converse of integrity by embodying a hypocrite. Willie Bodega and John Proctor embody the principles of integrity and let it shine through their actions. However, Holden Caulfield shows his deceit and impiety through his consistent dishonesty and hypocrisy.
According to Aristotle, integrity can be defined as the “particular quality men acquire by constantly acting in a particular way”. It is the sense of honesty and rectitude, towards our moral and ethical principles. We’ve discussed at length how compromising integrity can damage our reputation, how people decide to act against integrity for personal benefits, and ultimately cause irreparable damage among followers. So is it really worth compromising integrity for a big paycheck? Is losing reputation worth the money? Throughout the essay, numerous examples of compromised integrity will be discussed focusing on the Aristotelian view of Leadership. The philosopher’s Seven Virtues will ultimately allow us to understand and reach to a conclusion regarding such doubts.
Through out history people have been influenced by what they want to hear and the way a current trend is happening. The evolution of mankind has drifted towards a different society than what we where born to sustain. We are emotionally driven human beings that want to feel accepted by the rules of society. Sometimes an individual can confuse actions or emotions towards trying to fulfill the standards society has imposed. I have analyzed two articles that incorporate how a society reacts towards integrity as well as honesty and the belief that an individual in order to be a part of society one must comply with the standards that are set. As I began to interpret what Stephen L. Carter explained in “The Insufficiency of Honesty” I examined they
Integrity is one of the most essential principles in business practice. Without integrity, the reputation of a business can suffer unrepairable damages in which consumerism becomes nonexistent. Integrity must be built into the organizational infrastructure in health care to build a foundation of ethical integrity and adopt a culture that prioritizes this value (Mantel, 2015). I chose this business principle because I strongly believe that integrity is the heart and soul of a business’s character. Character reveals the core of business standards and is vital to sustain trust. Integrity is incorporated at my facility under the value system, to enable communities to rely on our health care organization. Integrity is chief in health care because it encompasses the foundation of veracity and honesty. Consumers such as patients, heavily rely on integrity of health care organizations to provide the best care. Integrity is important to me because it represents a network of trust and honor. As a health care professional, ethically and morally sound decisions have to be made with
Integrity is an idea that has been discussed by individuals with a verbal acuity far beyond anything I could ever hope for. With that in mind, I will not delve deeply or poetically into what integrity is or should mean. However, I will simplify the meaning of integrity; at the core, integrity boils down to doing what is right even if nobody is watching. See a piece of trash on the ground and nobody is around...pick it up. Driving down the road with no cops in sight...drive the speed limit. Arrive at a tollbooth and no attendant is working…pay the toll. An applicant is not readily available to sign a form for enlistment…track them down and ensure they sign it. I could write examples until infinity becomes paltry in comparison, yet I am sure I have made my point clearly; the greater good must be upheld regardless of who is there to ensure it is happening. It seems obvious that integrity should be a trait every individual is hardwired with from birth. However, integrity is a thankless trait; nobody is around after all. An individual cannot expect someone to clap, to smile, to thank them, to do anything actually. By definition, integrity should be something that is followed through with simply because an individual wishes to do what is correct, not because they expect accolades of any sort.
(Academic Integrity: A Letter to my Students*by William M. Taylor Professor of Political Science Oakton Community College Des Plains, Illinois)
In conclusion, integrity is a vital part of all our lives. Without a basic human integrity, we are animals. Integrity defines how we live, and who we are. Are we good people? Is our neighborhood safe? Is our college a great place to live? When trying to answer these questions, you first look at the integrity. In life and in death, a man will always be defined by his integrity. Is this neighborhood safe for me to my family to? Is this college a good one to send my child to? These questions are constantly being asked, and the answer always lies in integrity.
Integrity is the quality of being honest. When you are honest about something or a certain situation you are considered a person of integrity. Also when you have integrity you have strong moral principles. When you have strong moral principles you know what is right and what is wrong. “Having integrity means doing the right thing in a reliable way. It's a personality trait that we admire, since it means a person has a moral compass that doesn't waver. It literally means having "wholeness" of character, just as an integer is a "whole number" with no fractions.” Furthermore, having integrity is a quality that many strive to have because it often means that you are a good person.
The term “ethics” refers to an external set of rules that have been established by an institution or organization, for example, a university, and the members are expected to follow them. On the other hand, integrity refers to an individuals’ internal set of principles that guides their actions and behavior (Czimbal and Brooks n.p.). As a rule, people are usually rewarded when they follow ethical codes of conduct by an external committee or board that monitors their behavior. For a person of high integrity, the benefits are usually intrinsic. Moreover, such individuals always make the right decisions even when they are not being watched. Therefore, this feature of character is often influenced by a person’s upbringing. In