Integrit

Integrit is a term used in some interdisciplinary writings to denote the broad idea of integrity across domains. It is not a formally standardized concept, and its precise meaning can vary by field, but it generally points to coherence, wholeness, and trustworthiness across a system, person, or process.

Etymology: The word is derived from the Latin integritas, meaning wholeness or completeness, and is sometimes presented as a stylized variant of integrity to emphasize cross-domain use or to distinguish a specific analytical focus.

In philosophy and ethics, integrit is treated as the unity of a person’s values, beliefs, and actions. A person exhibiting integrit acts in ways that are consistent with their declared commitments, producing a harmonious character. In information technology and data governance, integrit is used to describe data and systems that preserve accuracy, provenance, and verifiability over time, resisting unauthorized modification and corruption.

Usage and interpretation: Because integrit lacks a fixed, universal definition, scholars typically specify the scope when they employ the term, such as ethical integrit, data integrit, or organizational integrit. Critics warn that the term may obscure important distinctions between moral coherence and technical correctness if not carefully defined.

See also: integrity, data integrity, character, coherence, wholeness.