Cynicism about integrity is a self-fulling prophesy.
The serious damage done to our economy, social institutions, and personal relationships by widespread cheating and dishonesty is bad enough. But widespread acceptance of such behavior as inevitable threatens to make our future a lot worse. In effect, our culture is being infected by a disease: the disease of low expectations.
The disease is manifested by the corrosive assumption that human nature can’t be expected to withstand pressures or temptations. In other words, when there’s a conflict between self-interest and moral principles, self-interest – in fact, short-term self-interest – will generally prevail. This is a self-fulfilling prophesy – true only if we believe it. – Michael Josephson
See more of Michael Josephson’s ideas at www.whatwillmatter.com and www.josephsonbusinessethics.com