The Difference Between Morality, Ethics, and Integrity
Silvija Vig, PhD - CCEP-I
Compliance, Ethics & Anti-corruption CODUPO - Author of the book BUSINESS ETHICS
Although the terms morality, ethics, and integrity are often used interchangeably, they have distinct meanings and roles in our behavior and decision-making. Understanding their differences helps us better comprehend how we make the right decisions and how we act in everyday life and business.
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What is Morality?
Morality represents a personal set of values, beliefs, and principles about what is right and wrong. It comes from within and is shaped by:
Morality influences our internal judgments about good and evil. For example, if you believe that honesty is a key virtue, your morality will guide your behavior toward honesty.
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What is Ethics?
Ethics is a set of rules, norms, and standards established by society, organizations, or professions to define acceptable behavior. It comes from external sources and can include:
Ethics guide how we should behave toward others and can also be formally enforced through laws and regulations.?For example,?a company may have a rule (Code of Ethics) prohibiting bribery, but if an employee follows this rule only out of fear of punishment rather than a belief that bribery is wrong, it is not a personal moral decision.
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What is Integrity?
Integrity means living in alignment with one's moral values, regardless of external circumstances and pressures. It is the internal consistency between what one believes is right and one's actions.
For example, If an employee refuses to participate in fraud, not because the rules (Code of Ethics) forbid it but because they believe it is wrong, they are demonstrating integrity.
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Key differences between morality, ethics, and integrity
Why is it important to distinguish between morality, ethics, and integrity?
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Example from everyday life
Imagine working at a bank. There are strict rules (ethics) against theft. Your personal sense of honesty (morality) tells you that stealing is wrong. However, true strength is shown through integrity—your decision to be honest even if no one would ever find out you did something wrong.
Conclusion
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For success in life and business, it is important to have:
Only when these three concepts are balanced, can we make correct and responsible decisions that contribute to our personal development and a better society.
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If we want to become people of integrity, we must first be aware of the values that guide us. Only then can we fully understand our level of integrity, which naturally leads us to act ethically without relying on external rules. This is exactly what we emphasize in our unique IntegrityUP training.
Senior Ethics & Compliance Leader | Driving Integrity & Compliance in the Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Industry
2 个月This article does an excellent job of distinguishing between morality, ethics, and integrity—three critical concepts that often get conflated but are distinct in their own right. Understanding these differences is key to fostering a culture of ethical leadership and decision-making in both personal and professional contexts. Integrity, in particular, stands out as the cornerstone of trust, and without it, neither ethics nor morality can truly thrive. A thought-provoking read for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of these foundational principles! Kudos Silvija Vig, PhD - CCEP-I for sharing such valuable insights!
Helping manufacturers optimize workflows and reclaim wasted time. || I help reduce compliance risks & boost engagement - without extra resources.
2 个月This is a very clear definition. However, sometimes the issue is that there is no clear translation of these terms into other languages.
Internal Audit | Risk Management | Compliance
2 个月Jako zanimljiv post, hvala Silvija!
Speaker | Business Leader | Chartered Accountant | Audit Executive | Trainer | President - Institute of Internal Auditors Ghana (IIA Ghana). A corporate collaborative governance enthusiast.
2 个月This is a very important post because it touches on very key, yet often neglected, matters that account for the successes or failures of society.
Director of Finance | Author of the book: Ethical decision making in management (New York: Routledge) | Internal Audit Enthusiast
2 个月Ethics is philosophy of morality. But going into the history morality is the same as ethics. Unfortunately the translation by Cicero from Greek into Latin interchanged the two. It is important when speaking of ethics and business ethics that the basics of philosophy is understood and not the urban truth are being spread.