Tenna DewoAbel Andarge2026-08-312026-08-312025-06-01https://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/8928This thesis examines the moral, psycho-social, and political dimensions of corruption, focusing on how dishonesty undermines trust, justice, and governance. By integrating insights from philosophy, psychology, sociology, and political theory, it investigates the root causes of corruption and its pervasive effects on social cohesion, public institutions, and human well-being. The study situates corruption not only as a legal or economic problem but also as a deeply ethical one, requiring reconciliation between individual self-interest and collective integrity. It argues for a shared responsibility among all stakeholders, proposing pragmatic strategies informed by various theoretical frameworks such as agnosticism, empiricism, and social contract theory. Besides, it attempts to reconcile the pursuit of self-interest with moral excellence, offering insights into promoting integrity within diverse socio-political contexts and highlighting the role of governance structures, transparency, and accountability mechanisms. Generally, the thesis contributes to the ongoing discourse on nurturing trust and integrity, offering an eloquent insight based on multi-dimensional views and actionable recommendations for addressing pervasive challenges to peace and social welfare. Keywords: Conatus, Corruption, Dishonesty, Integrity, Self-interest, Social contract, Societal Harmony and Trust.enConatusCorruptionDishonestyIntegritySelf-interestSocial contractSocietal Harmony and Trust.Thesis