Virtuous Living (9 of 13): Integrity
by Joseph Rowlands
Now the virtue of Integrity. It was defined by Rand as "the recognition that you cannot fake your consciousness" and that man "may permit no breach between...his life and his convictions".
The moral principle here is that you also are a part of reality, and have an identity. It is the understanding that you have the ability to shape your moral character. That you can live by principles, and thus understand yourself and your actions better. It is the idea that you are what you do. That your actions form your character. Your identity is knowable, and that you must live with that knowledge.
What's the value aimed at here? It's the value of a clear and clean moral character. To know who you are, and to make who you are a better person.
The virtue is normally seen as doing what you know is right. This, of course, can be phrased as never doing what you know is wrong. This is the Passive form of the virtue. Passive Integrity means never being immoral. It means, when you identify a moral principle, never act against it. Never compromise your values. In Objectivist ethics, it would mean never knowingly act irrationally, and never sacrifice.
The Active form is different, of course. It aims at the unified, moral self-imagine. It involves identifying moral principles, and learning how to act accordingly. It means identifying the good, and seeking it out. It means aiming for moral self-perfection.
So go out and pay back that debt you owe. Fulfill that promise you made. If you've lied to someone, tell them the truth. Make up for any mistakes you made. But also vow to never make mistakes. Take your responsibilities seriously. Make a habit of following through on your plans and projects, starting with one your working on now.
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