Intellectual honesty, as delineated by Jim Rutt, is the rigorous practice of pursuing truth and knowledge with unwavering integrity, objectivity, and openness. It embodies a commitment to recognizing and addressing one's own biases, staying receptive to new evidence, and being willing to revise or abandon previously held beliefs when confronted with more compelling information. Rutt emphasizes that intellectual honesty transcends mere accuracy; it requires sincere engagement in dialogue, transparent reasoning, and a steadfast dedication to ethical scholarly conduct. This principle is fundamental to fostering a culture of trust, enabling genuine intellectual progress, and upholding the credibility of both individual thinkers and the broader community of inquiry.

See also: free will, virtue ethics, emergence, cognitive science