I've heard and seen many people talk about how depending on the circumstances they may or may not exhibit this trait. For example, during Katrina, some stole food and water, some t.v.'s and stereos, is this any different? Is Honesty relative?
2006-07-13 17:42:39 · 11 answers · asked by foxray43 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
In situations of life and death, yes. Some stole food b/c they had to.
However, there is no justification for stealing a TV.
2006-07-13 17:47:30 · answer #1 · answered by Cherry 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Honesty is not relative; rather, the terms 'honest', 'honesty' are ambiguous, and it depends on how much you pack into the term whether 'dishonest gain' is ever justified.
This is simplest to illustrate with just two meanings of 'honest' (there may be more than two).
1. Factual Honesty. This means simply saying things that are true. Factual DIS-honesty is then simply saying things that are false. To achieve a gain by saying things that are false is surely sometimes justified. For example, if you are taken hostage in a warzone, and your life depends on lying about your identity, it is surely justified to lie and gain your life.
2. Ethical Honesty. This means saying things that are right or beneficial to innocent others. Here we cannot call the opposite Ethical DIS-honesty, but rather UN-Ethical Dishonesty. UN-Ethical Dishonesty means using a lie when it is wrong or harmful to innocent others. To achieve a gain by using UN Ethical Dishonesty is never justified.
Most of the time we fail to disambiguate between these conceptions, because we only use the words "honest" or "dishonest".
2006-07-13 18:20:14 · answer #2 · answered by artful dodger 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is there any difference between stealing food and water and stealing stereos? You bet. When it is an issue of life and death, property rights can and should be thrown out the window. Stealing a stereo or TV is very rarely an issue of life and death, though.
I am a little confused by what you mean by "dishonest," though. Whether a gain is "honest" or "dishonest" is really only a reflection of the dominant values of a society. Our society for example, may consider stealing water a "dishonest" gain, but earning money from interest, ruthless business practices, advertising aimed at children, or inheritance an "honest" one. Other societies may hold opposite views.
I think the term "honesty" can only be applied to questions of truth, not questions of material gain.
2006-07-13 18:12:18 · answer #3 · answered by student_of_life 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wel i think it depends on the severity of the lie , the old saying goes what they dont know wont hurt them, ok i play alot of cards and well i see this as bluffing in a card game your being dishonest for the gain of the pot and noone looks at that as a dishonest gain more a stretigic play so im my opinion yes honesty is relative to the sutiation who really likes somone thats brutally honest if your wife asks you does my butt look big do you say yes and spend the week on the couch or do you say no and make her smile even if it is a lil big
2006-07-13 18:01:20 · answer #4 · answered by stopherca 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dishonest gain is never acceptable when one is in a normal circumstance. If people are in a crisis and going to starve to death, I don't believe for a moment God would crucify anybody for stealing food and water. It would ruin anyway in a situation like Katrina. I just believe God wants us to take care of our children and not let them starve under such dire conditions. If anybody ever tells you one can "never" steal, they apparently haven't been in a situation where they were in a Katrina situation. For people who steal tvs and stereos in a situation like that, those things aren't necessary for life and that would be dishonest.
2006-07-13 17:56:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honesty is more of an individual dependent quality. If honesty has to really prevail even at a 'majority' level, then the other rules, code of ethics, institutional rules, tax laws, police rules, Court laws & rules, constitutional rules, social laws, moral and religious 'dictates' etc., etc., should ENSURE that honesty is really AFFORDABLE !
See, this term 'honesty becoming affordable', is a very comprehensive one, it really requires a rational thinking, very high levels of objectivism, and true undertstanding of concepts of human values !
It is because of GROSS MIS-MATCH of the markings of the 'society-made' measuring rod of 'honesty' vis-a-vis human values, that you find lot of confusion, and difficulty in judging, and hence your GENUINE QUESTION !
2006-07-13 18:09:13 · answer #6 · answered by Spiritualseeker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only if your Name is Bush / or your friends name is Bush..
Wearing 'Honesty' like a hat is the norm in modern society and reflected by the political leaders of the day.
Saying that you are 'Honest Most of the time' is like saying you are mostly a Virgin
2006-07-13 17:49:36 · answer #7 · answered by theleb63 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's an age old question. Also asked as... Does the end justify the means?
2006-07-13 17:51:57 · answer #8 · answered by peaches 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
never. we have 2 overcome the circumstances. but have 2 know what the circumstance is and how 2 overcome and by with ?
2006-07-13 21:05:47 · answer #9 · answered by N O 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
since u use my questions to attack me i use yours to answer back...i will put clothes on when i feel like it...why dont u go looking for brains or even a little bit of respect for others.?..if u dont like dont look...and please ignore me in the future! i dont want to have anything to do with people so short sighted as u are...and as regards ur question zzzzzzzzz
2006-07-13 17:51:10 · answer #10 · answered by whoknows 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋