Restoring Integrity: The Path to Psychological Well-Being

By Naseer Ahmed, New Age Islam 8 September 2024 Integrity, a cornerstone of character, is often defined as honesty and strong moral principles. Its presence or absence can significantly influence an individual's self-esteem and life trajectory. This understanding should inspire and deeply commit the audience to uphold these values. It is crucial in addressing psychological issues, and the audience's dedication to this cause can inspire others to do the same. As renowned psychologist Nathaniel Branden noted, 'No one can have a higher opinion of himself than he has of his integrity.' The loss of integrity can lead to a person losing respect for themselves, eroding their self-esteem. This erosion can result in a loss of the sense of shame—a crucial emotion that keeps behaviour in check. When shame is lost, it is replaced by guiltless behaviour, where the individual becomes indifferent to their dishonesty. This indifference leads to habitual lying, a defence mechanism the individual uses to protect their fragile ego. Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, once remarked, "He that has eyes to see and ears to hear may convince himself that no mortal can keep a secret. If his lips are silent, he chatters with his fingertips; betrayal oozes out of him at every pore." This means that even when someone tries to hide their dishonesty, it reveals itself through their behaviour. The real danger, however, lies in the inability to correct such behaviour. People resist change when they cannot feel shame, often the first step toward self-improvement. As Carl Jung, a prominent figure in psychology, observed, 'Shame is a soul-eating emotion.' Yet, it is also necessary, as it can lead to introspection and growth. Without shame, there is little motivation to address or correct one's faults. How To Deal With People Who Cannot Be Shamed The people who have lost all sense of shame are without a moral compass. The only effective corrective measure for such individuals is to disrupt their dishonest activities. This is where the audience's role becomes crucial. The audience can play a significant part in restoring integrity by exposing their deceit and making it difficult for them to continue their behaviour without consequences. Unmasking their pretensions and showing them what they truly are forces them to confront the reality of their actions, which may lead to restoring integrity. Deliberate Practise of Critical Thinking Builds Personal Integrity The journey toward healing oneself and restoring integrity is deeply intertwined with the practice of critical thinking. Integrity, as a cornerstone of character, requires honesty in actions and clarity in thought. This clarity is best achieved through the deliberate practice of critical thinking. As defined by the American philosopher John Dewey, critical thinking is "active, persistent, and careful consideration of a belief or supposed form of knowledge in the light of the grounds which support it and the further conclusions to which it tends." To become a person of integrity, one must consistently engage in this process, examining one's beliefs, actions and motivations. In the words of Socrates, "The unexamined life is not worth living." This famous dictum underscores the necessity of introspection—a key critical thinking component. Regularly scrutinising our thoughts and actions can identify inconsistencies and align our behaviour with our principles. This alignment is the essence of integrity. Critical thinking also involves the willingness to question one's assumptions and challenge one's biases. Albert Einstein famously said, "Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth." To live with integrity, one must be willing to confront uncomfortable truths, whether they pertain to societal norms, personal beliefs, or past actions. No matter how unsettling, this courage to face the truth leads to genuine self-healing. Moreover, integrity requires consistency between thought and action. As Mahatma Gandhi stated, "Happiness is when what you think, say, and do are in harmony." Critical thinking helps bridge the gap between these elements, ensuring our actions reflect our true beliefs and values. It fosters self-awareness, enabling us to recognise when straying from our moral compass and providing the tools to course-correct. Additionally, critical thinking encourages humility, an essential quality for integrity. It reminds us that our knowledge is limited and that we must remain open to new information and perspectives. This openness allows us to grow and evolve, steadily refining our character. As the philosopher Bertrand Russell noted, "In all affairs, it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted." In conclusion, the path to healing oneself through integrity is paved with critical thinking. By consciously practising this skill, we develop the ability to analyse our thoughts, question our beliefs, and align our actions with our values. By doing so, we restore our integrity and foster a more profound sense of self-respect and well-being. As psychologist Carl Rogers wisely observed, "The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change." This acceptance, coupled with the critical examination of self, leads to an individual's proper healing and growth. Need For Self-Scrutiny And Scrutiny By Others A person of integrity embraces scrutinising their deeds, actions, and words, viewing it as an opportunity for growth and self-improvement. This openness to analysis stems from their confidence in their principles and a commitment to truth. On the other hand, a person without integrity often dreads such scrutiny and employs various defence mechanisms to avoid it, as it threatens to expose inconsistencies, dishonesty, or flaws in their character. Defence Mechanisms in Action 1. Denial: Denial is one of the most common defence mechanisms. When someone without integrity is confronted with uncomfortable truths about their actions, they may outright deny wrongdoing. This refusal to acknowledge reality protects them from the anxiety of facing their moral failings. Sigmund Freud, who introduced the concept of defence mechanisms, described denial as a way for the ego to avoid the distressing reality of their actions. 2. Rationalisation: Rationalisation involves creating logical but false explanations for one's behaviour to justify actions that may be morally questionable. A person without integrity might rationalise their dishonest actions by convincing themselves they were necessary or insignificant. As philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche observed, "We have art in order not to die of the truth." This reflects how individuals often construct elaborate justifications to avoid confronting the real reasons behind their actions. 3. Projection: Projection involves attributing one’s undesirable qualities or actions to others. A person who lacks integrity might accuse others of dishonesty or unethical behaviour, projecting their flaws onto those around them. This allows them to deflect attention away from their shortcomings. Carl Jung, a pioneer in psychology, remarked, "Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves." However, those without integrity avoid this self-reflection, instead blaming others to escape accountability. 4. Minimisation: Minimisation is a defence mechanism where the individual downplays the significance of their actions. A person without integrity might admit to a fault but argue that it is insignificant or that others have done far worse. This minimises the perceived gravity of their actions, allowing them to maintain a façade of moral acceptability. Blaise Pascal noted, "We are more easily persuaded by the reasons we discover ourselves than by those given to us by others," illustrating how individuals can convince themselves of the lesser impact of their misdeeds. 5. Avoidance: Avoidance involves steering clear of situations or discussions that may lead to an analysis of one’s actions. A person without integrity may evade questions, change the subject, or disengage from conversations that threaten to reveal their lack of moral consistency. A deep-seated fear of being exposed drives this avoidance. Erich Fromm, a social psychologist, suggested that "Man’s main task in life is to give birth to himself, to become what he potentially is," yet avoidance prevents such self-realisation and growth. 6. Displacement: Displacement involves redirecting emotions or reactions from the true source of distress to a safer, more acceptable target. For example, a person who feels guilty about their dishonest actions might express anger or criticism toward unrelated issues or people. This redirection serves as an outlet for their internal conflict without directly addressing the root cause. Sigmund Freud explained displacement as a way to "release pent-up energy in a less harmful or more socially acceptable way." Integrity And Openness To Scrutiny In contrast, a person of integrity does not fear scrutiny because they have nothing to hide. Their actions and words are consistent with their values, and they are open to self-examination and critique. This openness is a sign of confidence and recognition that growth comes from understanding one’s mistakes and learning from them. As American psychologist Abraham Maslow observed, "What is necessary to change a person is to change his awareness of himself." Those with integrity are always willing to expand this awareness, even if it means confronting uncomfortable truths. Logical and Psychological Analysis Analysis of logical fallacies in our writings and utterances helps us conform to critical thinking requirements. Psychological analysis of deviant behaviour uncovered by logical analysis tells us of the underlying psychological issues preventing us from becoming persons of integrity. By welcoming logical and psychological analysis of their deeds, utterances and writings, a person of integrity demonstrates a commitment to truth and self-improvement. They understand that scrutiny from themselves or others is vital to living an authentic and morally sound life. As philosopher Immanuel Kant emphasised, "Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law." Those who live by such principles naturally embrace the evaluation of their actions, knowing they align with their core values. In summary, the difference between those with and without integrity lies in their relationship to self-scrutiny. While a person of integrity sees it as a necessary and valuable process, a person lacking integrity fears it, resorting to defence mechanisms that protect their ego but ultimately hinder their moral and psychological growth. ----- A frequent contributor to NewAgeIslam.com, Naseer Ahmed is an Engineering graduate from IIT Kanpur and is an independent IT consultant after having served in both the Public and Private sector in responsible positions for over three decades. He has spent years studying Quran in-depth and made seminal contributions to its interpretation. 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