when does it become right to tell a lie?

Question

If a judge say admit to a crime or face jail would you admit that crime known that you would be lying or would you refuse?

Answer 1

Yes I would tell the truth. I am so much for Philosophy that I cannot lie. You would only lie if you were a liar, wouldn't you?.

Answer 2

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

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.

But in your example if might be proper to consider that 80% of the people in court are lying anyway so go on tell a whopper

Answer 3

Quite recently I was told that no one goes into court to tell the truth - the truth is whatever is right for you at the time.

I was also brought up with "crime doesn't pay" well looking around today I would say that it pays really well.

That said, I cannot shake off my upbringing, therefore, I do not lie and have never been in trouble with the police.

Sad - no.

Answer 4

Whats a lie? Whats the truth? Whats deciet?
Its all up to the way you think! If i believe that I am mot guilty of a crime, even doe I am! Well, its the truth,as i dont believe that I did it!
And if I dont believe, than that means that its not true. And if its not true, its not real and its not wrong!
So, if I say that I am not guilty, and that i am innocent, well than i am not lying!
But whats lying? When you think about it? One might say its not telling the whole truth, and others may say, its making up what you want others to believe? But people always want to believe in something! Who is god? Is he true, or a lie?

Answer 5

It all depends on the issue involved. If its murder then its different .

I would point out to the judge and ask him. Would he kill his own to daughter to save the Life of his Wife.

But if its to lie over a small matter to save oneself from a lifetime of jail then go for it. Because in jail one cannot resolve the issue. If he is out there than he can in a way atone for his sins wahtever it may be.

Answer 6

I wouldn't admit to committing a crime I didn't commit on principle, but if it were a choice between jail and not jail, mimimum security work farm type thing, I would go, penitentiary, I'd lie (hell, I would lie about you :-)

Answer 7

Different people have different opinions on where to draw the line when it comes to telling a lie. Morally, it is always wrong to tell a lie but practically, humans are no saint and they find themselves in situations where they feel they need to lie their way out. So, perhaps, if there is ever a time when it is right to tell a lie when your heart, guts, and conscience tells you so.

Answer 8

I don't have much problem with lying so long as nobody gets harmed by it. I lie when I know the truth will hurt someone and no do any good. Like if someone says, "Am I fat?" would you answer truthfully if you knew that it would really offend them?

Answer 9

I would refuse because i know i am right. Depending how long the jail stretch was....if it was like a day then no otherwise lie.

Answer 10

This is a tough question. What if you confess and go to jail any way? Would it be better to admit your guilt and then try and clear your name? Would it be better to remain silent and hope that after three charges of comtempt of court- you are released?


I cannot decide!- it wil have to discuss it with my lawyer.