Preview

Stephen L. Carter's The Insufficiency Of Honesty

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
523 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Stephen L. Carter's The Insufficiency Of Honesty
What defines honesty and integrity? Is there a connection between these two words, and what does that imply? Stephen L. Carter, a law professor and writer, questions the common definitions of these words and the their moral interpretations in his essay, “The Insufficiency of Honesty”. In the essay, he makes several about the key differences between what “honesty” and “integrity” actually mean, and I agree with Carter that too often integrity is mistaken for honesty. He mentions that, “…acting in accordance with what you think is right and risking no loss in the process is a rather thin and unadmirable form of honesty”, and I concur that selfishness of that caliber lacks integrity by definition. The first difference that Carter points out is the consequence of selfish honesty and “telling everything you know”. He uses the example of an unfaithful husband confessing infidelity to his wife on his deathbed. This is a good example because it illustrates that an honest action is not necessarily an action of integrity; and while some may argue that lying is intrinsically immoral, in my opinion, there are times when not telling the truth is the most conscientious response. Also, though the husband’s confession wasn’t …show more content…
There are certain complexities in determining what way of thinking is “wrong” or “right”, and Carter states that questioning strongly held beliefs is a part of “...the most basic test of integrity”, where “The question is not whether his actions are consistent with what he most deeply believes but whether he has done the hard work of discerning whether what he most deeply believes it right.” What Carter means is that integrity requires reflection on personal principles and prejudices, and honesty does not. Because of this, even a person who always says what they think with total authenticity may lack integrity, which is an assertion I agree

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Integrity is having a standard of morals and ethics, and living by them. It is a willingness and ability to do the right thing even when it is hard. The story To Kill a Mockingbird is filled with integrity. For example, many of the characters show different traits of integrity through doing what is right, and others show traits of integrity for doing what they believe in. Some of the characters portray no integrity at all.…

    • 1158 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    In the story, “Everything will be okay,” by James Howe, The main character (Doesn’t say the name) is a nice one to know as a nice person. He is honest, Caring, and Scared about the cat. The main reason why is that he is caring and loves the cat. Throughout the story, you can see he really cares for the cat even if it is really sick.…

    • 216 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Standards vary on a multitude of factors that include one’s up bringing, life experiences, and beliefs. Based on those factors standards will vary with each individual. However, people with integrity will consistently demonstrate behavior toward their set of standards. From this consistent demonstration of integrity they make ethical decisions with a strong bias towards their values and principles.…

    • 1112 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Throughout this semester of Paideia, I have read several books in which one or more of the characters know the truth about a certain matter and the others do not. The characters that know the truth then have to decide what to do with the truth. Do they keep it to themselves or share it with others? When both options have advantages and disadvantages, the person who has to make the choice is in a tough spot. This scenario has happened in two separate readings this semester: one in The Return of Martin Guerre and the other in The Allegory of the Cave. Using those two texts, I will be able to provide evidence that knowing the truth sometimes involves personal consequences or obligations.…

    • 1539 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Integrity is defined as being “honest” or “whole.” From infancy, we are bombarded with information about the world we live in. Our perceptions are naturally formed by the reliability of the information we receive and…

    • 381 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Integrity Chapter Summary

    • 593 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Integrity is a new book from Mark Parker that casts a critical eye on the current state of character, ethics and morals. His premise is that these qualities are in decline among governmental, political, business, athletic, religious, educational and other leaders, and their lack of integrity is having a profoundly negative effect on our nation and society.…

    • 593 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Marine

    • 523 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Integrity- Integrity is the basing of ones actions on an internally consistent framework of principles. Depth of principles and adherence of each level to the next are key factors. One is said to have integrity to the extent that everything one does is derived from the same core set values. While each other and with the persons actions that determine the person’s integrity. Integrity is the act of doing the right thing when no body’s is watching. For example, if Lcpl Smith is at the PX and the cashier gives him more money back then he should have got and Lcpl Smith corrects the cashier and gives them back the money, Lcpl Smith just should integrity. An example of not having integrity would be if Lcpl Smith on his way to work knew there was a way around all the traffic but instead of taking that faster way, he went through all the traffic just so he wouldn’t have to go right to work and told his Cpl that he got stuck in traffic.…

    • 523 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Throughout human history, man has found himself fascinated with the Gods and the mysticism that surrounds them. The idea of praying to a higher power has always appealed to the ethos of mankind, as a way of comfort. Divine intervention has led to the construction of grand temples, churches, and mosques while, the rest of the people lived in shacks battling destitute poverty. Religion has ignored many problems of the human condition in favor of the fantasy of revelation and salvation. It has led to vicious wars, disenfranchisement of entire groups of people all because of the sweet promise of salvation. In John D. Caputo's essay, Caputo highlights the divisive nature of religion and how the promises of revelation and salvation result ultimately lead to further perpetuate the lies and violence that religion has brought…

    • 568 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In today's Society conversations between males and females has become difficult. There are a lot of miscommunications between males and females. In Deborah Tannen’s article “ Sex, Lies and Conversations” Tannen talks about how men and women talk differently to each other as well as the misunderstandings between each. She believed that no one person was at fault, whereas the differences caused by sexual standards. I feel that communication changes between males and females when in a different age group. These groups range from children, to teens, and adults.…

    • 649 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the video, Pamela Mayer mention two truths about lying. The first truth about lying was that it is a cooperative act. According to Mayer, “no one can lie to you without your approval. The liar and the recipient participate in a fabric of mythmaking together. A lie does not have power by its utterance–its power lies in someone agreeing to believe the lie” (2010, pg. 22). In my opinion, Pamela is definitely correct, the only way someone can lie to us is if we allowed them, but if do not allow them than we would not get lie. Moreover, the second truth about lying is that people lie to cover up problems in their lives. People feel that lying will help them feel protected. However, the consequences of lying are bad, because you will no longer feel conferrable within yourself and the other person whom you lied to. Consequently, the truths about lying are hard to believe, but are the absolute truth.…

    • 447 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Liar by Tobias Wolff

    • 339 Words
    • 2 Pages

    In the short story “The Liar” by Tobias Wolff, an adolescent boy named James constantly…

    • 339 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Honesty is being able to tell someone what I really think and believe and getting the same thing in return. A person can maintain being honest by not thinking about the consequences of telling the truth. This can be evaluated by making sure the record is set straight when an error is made.…

    • 920 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the passage On the Psychology of Self-Deception by David Shapiro, he explains how self-deception is composed and present within people. Shapiro starts by saying “there are two kinds of knowing: knowing “in a way” and “really” knowing” (93). Individuals transition from one to another when stating the information out loud. The difference in knowing “in a way” and “really” knowing is not when new information is formed but the knowledge is already in some sense known. Self-deception can be seen as a paradox because how can someone know something but not know at the same time.…

    • 178 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Integrity is and will always be a how a person is remembered. In my opinion, integrity is the single most important personal or character trait anyone can have. Being able to do the right thing or having the willingness to do the right things when no one is looking is a big part of this. Having integrity involves having accountability, responsibility, and honesty in each and every situation that you are faced with. Being in the United States Air Force, I am very familiar with the word Integrity. The meaning of integrity has been engraved in my mind and heart for 14 years, ever since basic military training in San Antonio, Texas on June 14 2000. Integrity boils down to having honesty, accountability, and responsibility. Having honesty in every situation ensures what you do and say matches. Exhibiting the trait of accountability ensures other around you steal, cheat, or lie. Being responsible enables other around you to trust and believe that you have their very interest at heart, and that you will not be selfish to not only take care of yourself but others as well.…

    • 750 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Living Faith

    • 659 Words
    • 3 Pages

    In the very beginning Carter discusses how the people of America strive to fulfill the needs in the world we live in, such as “feeding the hungry, do what is right, to be concerned about others, to be champions of peace, to keep our environment clean, and to understand and demonstrate that in God’s sight others are worthy as we are.” This all is true. We go through life trying to complete these goals and fulfill what is needed from us in society. Yet, Carter states how everyone in America has to think and deal with these everyday issues, but politicians have to some how fix and resolve them and if they do not, they will be held accountable.…

    • 659 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays