Why do humans have the nature to lie ??

Question

Did it start from story telling?
or some other inner instinct ?

Answer 1

We picked it up from Adam. He shoulda left the bad fruit alone.

Answer 2

Flaws in our genetic make up? I don't think so. Let's not make this out to be any more complicated than it is.

Lying is a form of manipulation. It stems from our desire to exert control over our surroundings. We lie when it is to our advantage to do so - to cover things up, to protect our reputation, to get something we want, to hurt people, to make us look better, etc.

Lying is learned behavior. Even while our parents may teach us that lying is wrong, we all practice it in some form. Most of the time we lie to ourselves and don't realize we are doing it. Or we lie to our loved ones because we know the truth would hurt them.

Lying is a communications strategy. Most believe a poor one, but one that has been around since we first started speaking to one another, and one that doesn't figure to go away any time soon. There's too much value in being able to shape the perceptions of others with a few words, albiet false ones. There is power in a good mistruth, and the control afforded by a good lie is too tempting for even the most well-intended individuals.

Answer 3

I can remember the very first time I lied to my mother, when I was seven. It was a relief to get out from the punishment I knew I deserved (because I knew I had broken the rules, she had warned me and I deliberately disobeyed) but at the same time it was a bit sad, in that I realized that my mother was not all knowing. It took away one of the absolutes in my life, and made me feel less secure.

I believe that children often develop the urge to lie. Children do not have the strength of adults, so when they want to protect themselves from adults or manipulate adults they are unable to use force, but must lie. I think this is where it comes from.

So I make it my goal to live in such a way as to give my kids no reason to lie to me. I will be a better person for it, and they will be better persons for it.

Answer 4

Deception is basic to survival. A hunter mimicking the call of animal is being deceptive. An animal that changes its appearance to hide is being deceptive. Research also has shown a direct relationship between ability to deceive and charisma, which can land you that job or hot mate. It’s part of the fabric of self preservation, but can be taken so far that it backfires, much like the desire for good tasting foods and drinks, etc.

Answer 5

Basically, it's a flaw in our genetic makeup. I mean... come on, nobody's perfect. We're all regular people with ordinary lives. Although, having said that, lies are not always intended to be something deemed morally wrong.
We lie to get ourselves out of a sticky situation, to avoid hurting the feelings of our loved one, etc. If it's used correctly, no harm, no foul.
However, if it's misused for other reasons such as for personal, selfish gain... well then that's something (your guilty conscience) you'll have to contend with every time you sleep at night.
Although story telling doesn't quite cut it. I refer that as gossip & merely distortion of facts. How else could you explain myth & folklore?
It's much to do with the boy who cried wolf. It's simply the thrill of getting attention, of knowing you're getting away with it and that by lying, the fun that it involves to play with other people's fears.

Answer 6

First...humans do not HAVE to lie. There is nothing that forces people to do so. Some lie to make themselves look or feel good. Sometimes people lie as to not hurt others. (Do women really want to be told that the dress their wearing makes their butt look big?) We lie to instill values or create a sense of wonder. (Santa, Easter Bunny, etc) Some lie to hurt others or to protect themselves. Think of it as a tool...it depends on how one uses it...

Answer 7

It is an inner instinct. We are born with a sinful heart. No one teach his children to do wrong, but you must teach them to behave well or love their neighbors.

Answer 8

The ability to lie is a mark of sophistication; it shows an understanding of what language is and what it can do. In this sense, lying is related to rhetoric and poetry; it springs from the insight that language can be more than a transparent medium for information.

Thing is, you have to choose your moments.

Answer 9

Animals will do it too. Like a Possum that plays dead to protect himself. People lie because they think it will make things better. It never does. (I can most always tell when someone is telling a lie)

Answer 10

Our minds are being controlled by aliens. They make us act and do all sorts of things....including lying. Ever tell a lie and wonder later why the hell you did? It was the aliens that made you, I swear.

Answer 11

Because many have bought into the myth of the bible, and they think they can avoid the consequences of thier actions. I wouldn't say it's not part of thier nature, more like they learned that they best get what they want.