2006-08-03 01:04:56 · 32 answers · asked by sklartey2003 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
yes
2006-08-03 01:07:11 · answer #1 · answered by Allen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This might be a way of asking can the ends justify the means. This depends what school of thought you adhere to. Emmanuel Kant's categorical imperative takes one extreme position in that it is never right to tell a lie "To tell a falsehood to a murderer who asked us whether our friend of whom he was in pursuit had taken refuge in our house would be a crime" so Kant says its never right to tell a lie.
The other extreme would simply weight up each choice to establish which produced the greater good for the greater number of people,"Utilitarianism" put forward by John Mill. This too has flaws when taken to the extreme if you are part of a monitory that should be crushed for the greater good of the majority when the two groups cannot co-exist
So perhaps you need to define what is good by your personal philosophy / set of values to establish whether the lie you consider telling would be good.
If faced with a difficult decision you end up having to contextualise the decision you face with the laws where you are your religion or otherwise and the effect on your reputation then I would suggest you are moving towards Utilitarianism as you do not know instinctively what you feel you must do
But when your own life is in danger I think low animal cunning takes over from higher reason and there is a biblical example of St Peter denying knowledge of Jesus three times to save his own skin so the liars are in good company
So............I haven't got a clue sorry
2006-08-03 12:27:02 · answer #2 · answered by Fram464 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lie has a short life, but the truth lives forever. We all know that lying is a bad thing, but when it comes to a situation like this its a tough choice. God said speak the truth to one another, and never be afraid to speak the truth when someones life is in danger. If you trust in God you will know that everything will be ok because God will protect you and will judge what ever you say.
2006-08-03 02:05:01 · answer #3 · answered by questionaire 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, Telling the truth is always the best way. If you start telling lies,you'll forget the lie you told to who,in the first place.. People will appreciate a truthful person, but not a liar.
2006-08-03 01:12:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When ones life is in danger nothing matters except getting oneself out of danger. And that's the truth!
2006-08-03 01:10:07 · answer #5 · answered by jewingengleman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
May be the truth can save. But depending on the situation if not telling the truth can save one's life, the need not tell the truth.
2006-08-03 01:08:40 · answer #6 · answered by Mr Fact 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is truth? All truth is subjective you may feel that you know the truth only to find out that you were wrong. the easiest way to answer this question is to decide whichever property you value highest Truth or life and make a decision to strive to achieve one or the other at any cost.
2006-08-03 01:17:05 · answer #7 · answered by martyn d 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends if it means it would save your life or not. If telling the truth would save your life, then tell it , but if you can only save it by telling a lie, tell the lie and you will live to tell the tale and you can repent the telling of the lie later.
2006-08-04 11:42:02 · answer #8 · answered by need2know 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is always good to tell the truth
2006-08-03 01:08:34 · answer #9 · answered by jonnygaijin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes
2006-08-03 01:07:51 · answer #10 · answered by mu_sa_kossan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Surely better to concentrate on getting out of danger.
2006-08-06 09:10:03 · answer #11 · answered by bob kerr 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋