Intellectual honesty is an applied method of problem solving characterised by a nonpartisan and honest attitude, which can be demonstrated in a number of different ways: Harvard ethicist Louis M. Guenin describes the "kernel" of intellectual honesty to be "a virtuous disposition to eschew deception when given an incentive for deception".
[1] In academia, intellectual honesty necessitates that students, academics, and researchers openly disclose the origins of their ideas and give due credit to others in their writing.
[2] Intellectual honesty has been described as part of integrity in scientific research and includes: Within the realm of business, intellectual honesty entails basing decisions on factual evidence, consistently pursuing truth in problem-solving, and setting aside personal aspirations.
The adoption of intellectual honesty by organizations is thought to foster a culture of ongoing learning and receptiveness to novel ideas.
This mindset frequently catalyzes enhancements across the entire organization, particularly when intellectual honesty becomes an integral part of the corporate culture.