2006-11-27 07:58:52 · 12 answers · asked by A Musing 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Well, when speaking of morals, sometimes it isn't just black & white. Sometimes you have to choose between the lesser of two evils. Yes, lying is wrong, but I believe that hurting someone intentionally is more wrong. If it's something subjective, if someone asks for your opinion on their appearance for instance, I would opt to be kind rather than cruel (even if that meant lying rather than being honest. No you don't look fat, yes your hair looks great, your baby is beautiful). I won't volunteer deception but if someone asks my opinion & I don't want to hurt them then I will lie. I'd consider these "white lies." They are only about superficial not serious matters.
In more serious cases, though the truth may hurt it should still be told. It's complicated. For example, if I knew someone's partner was cheating on them & they asked me about it, I would have to tell the truth. Even though it would hurt them, I believe that not telling them hurts them more in the long run. I believe people have a right to know the truth about their partner and other important matters. I would want to know myself. As painful as it would be, I would rather know & then have the choice to respond based on the information (my response would be to leave the lying, cheating sack of sh$% but that's just me!)
The short answer to your question is that if it's to spare someone's feelings, white lies are ok, but the big lies that affect someone's life are not ok and it's never ok to deliberately deceive someone for personal gain. Only somewhat justifiable if it's to the other person's advantage, not your own.
The best measure of whether anything is ethical is the "greater good." If it's doing right (or more right or the most right) by someone else, then it's probably moral. If it's hurting someone, doing someone wrong or more wrong than necessary, then it's probably unethical...
2006-11-27 09:08:35 · answer #1 · answered by amp 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is! There is no such thing as a white lie. There are small lies that are called white lies but that is an oxymoron.
A lie is just that... a lie. The ethics dictate that you don't lie; and who the heck has the authority or wisdom to rate a lie on a colour scale?
2006-11-27 13:20:28 · answer #2 · answered by the old dog 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, Lies can be helpful in protecting people's feelings. In addition, dishonesty is not always wrong. For example, during the holocaust many Jews hid in the houses of German citizens just as Ann Frank did or runaway slaves in the underground railroad. In those cases lying protected others. Protecting another's feelings is also important because if the person has incredibly low self-esteem they may not be endure the truth. However, if lie will hurt in the long run, it should be avoided.
2006-11-27 08:15:04 · answer #3 · answered by shadowcrimejas 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the "white lie" is told to cause harm to someone
then no, it is not a good idea. If the "white lie"
is told to cover up a surprise that will bring
joy to some one's life then I see nothing wrong with
it. I've told a few "white lies" to spare some one's
feelings from getting hurt.
2006-11-27 08:10:13 · answer #4 · answered by Precious Gem 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe in telling the truth no matter how much it hurts. Even a white lie is a lie and it's wrong.
2006-11-27 08:06:48 · answer #5 · answered by swissmiss620 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. Surely it's better to tell a lie then to tell a truth that serves no purpose and only hurt's someone.
2006-11-27 08:12:00 · answer #6 · answered by thievesstolemypolicecar 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it totally depends on why you are lieing for you may lie to help protect someone for instance how would you feel growing up with out santa claws and the tooth fairy they were all lies made up by our parents.
2006-11-27 08:10:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Define "ethically wrong".
2006-11-27 08:22:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it may artwork, yet you does not deserve the interest and you may taking a job that somebody else who particularly finished their coaching merits. in case you do this you're in certainty stealing the interest from somebody else who merits it greater advantageous than you do, and the boss will discover out interior the long-term and you will lose the interest and be fired, which you will deserve.
2016-10-13 05:34:01 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lie is a lie no matter what color you assign it.
2006-11-27 10:19:19 · answer #10 · answered by drg5609 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋