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The Social Role of the Virtue of Integrity

An Aristotelian Perspective

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Handbook of Philosophy of Management

Part of the book series: Handbooks in Philosophy ((HP))

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Abstract

There is broad consensus in management and philosophy that integrity is a complex concept, which has many facets. Integrity is undoubtedly considered a virtue, but no consensus has been reached about the nature of this virtue. This chapter proposes to clarify the nature of the virtue of integrity in a managerial context through the lens of Aristotle’s social and political philosophy. The chapter considers the individual first and foremost as a member of society, subject to temptations that may lead him or her to commit unjust acts. It defines the action of integrity, in a managerial context, as the promised exercising of the virtues of an individual’s social roles, in particular through the regulation of appetite for gain. It then explains how this action is based on character formed by individual will and practical wisdom.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Université Paris-Saclay, Univ Evry, IMT-BS, LITEM, Evry-Courcouronnes, France

    Philippe Jacquinot

Authors
  1. Philippe Jacquinot
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Correspondence to Philippe Jacquinot .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Newcastle University Business School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

    Cristina Neesham

  2. School of Management and Technology Institute of Management and Organization, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Lüneburg, Germany

    Markus Reihlen

  3. Department of Management, Society and Communication (MSC), Copenhagen Business School, Frederiksberg, Denmark

    Dennis Schoeneborn

Section Editor information

  1. HR and Organizations, EM Normandie, Métis Lab, Paris, France

    Marian Eabrasu

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Jacquinot, P. (2022). The Social Role of the Virtue of Integrity. In: Neesham, C., Reihlen, M., Schoeneborn, D. (eds) Handbook of Philosophy of Management. Handbooks in Philosophy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-76606-1_60

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