Accountability through integrity : toward a balanced education

Abstract

Academic integrity is based on values and virtues. It requires education not only in knowledge, but in character and ethical bearings. The article shows that there are ethical methodologies to clarify values and virtues, also in cultural, religious and philosophical differences. It shows how conflicts of values can be managed to reach common standards e.g. in a university. It shows integrity as the virtue of virtues and as a universal and institutional reference in all areas of society including the academic world. There is sometimes a price to pay for integrity.