Differences between Ethics and Integrity: Rules or Standards (Essay Sample)

Differences between Ethics and Integrity
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Ethics can be defined as a set of rules or standards governing acceptable behavior of a social group or an individual. The principles define what is morally right or acceptable to the affected class or group. In stipulating the rights, it also highlights the wrongs, which the social group or individuals are not expected to commit. Ethics cans also be termed as the philosophical research of rules and moral values. Integrity is defined as the completeness of anything without any flaws (Cox, 2009). It can also be identified as the quality of an individual, organization or a social group being fair and honest. When linking an organization and a social group with integrity, it implies their entirety. This paper elucidates on the differences between ethics and integrity.
The main difference between ethics and integrity is in their application. Ethics form the external system of laws and rules, while integrity forms the internal system of principles that inform the behavior of people. Since ethics are based on laws and rules, it implies it is pegged on benefits and losses. Rather, when one follows the rules, they are on the safe side, but when people break rules, there are punishments (Cox, 2009). Therefore, rewards are associated with ethics. On the other hand, the rewards for integrity are more so intrinsic. In as much as ethics is obligatory, integrity is more about choice. Integrity is partly influenced by a person’s exposure and upbringing, but comes majorly from an individual’s ego. Integrity is rarely affected by outside forces. However, ethics are rules and regulations, which are made by a society, a social group, or a nation. Consequently, they are controlled and enforced by the said parties. This implies that external forces influence ethics. For instance, in many organizations, a professional committee or board usually oversees the compliance with the set rules. In other words, most companies have devised a code of ethics that the staff is expected to follow.
Integrity is seen as the tool that tends to portray an individual or a company's strength--wholeness. For integrity, when a person acts with integrity, he/she does the right thing; even when people are not present. People of integrity are informed by a number of core regulations that strengthen them, and when every regulation, augments the other. Admittedly, ethics are the bedrock of personal integrity--good personal or business ethics reinforce the integrity (Huberts et al., 2008).
When a person possesses a high level of integrity, it is easier for him or her to follow his/her words with actions. He/she will act according to the stipulated ethics of the organization or social group he/she is ...