When is lying justifiable?

Question

Where are all (at least, most of us) brought up that lying is wrong and that telling the truth is the right thing to do. But in what case may lying be justifiable?

Answer 1

If every one always told the absolute truth life would be very cruel ,think about how many times a day even if we don`t exactly lie we don`t tell the truth either .and we do this to avoid being hurtful
if your child draws you a picture and asks if it beautiful ,are you going to say its crap
if some one asks you to do them a favour and says ,i don`t want to put you out you don`t say well you are so do it your self
if your friend says ,do i look nice ,when it`s too late to change ,you don`t say ,no you look a mess
theres nothing to gain from the truth in a lot of situations
every one knows the difference between little lies to save peoples feelings and the great big whoppers

Answer 2

. I am not at all sure that there is such an actual fact as lying; only that social mores make it an issue.

There is much manipulation going on that doesn't even depend upon 'lying' for example withholding information from others.

The idea that someone would protect me/ my innocence by lying to me, for instance preserving me from knowing that I have a life threatening illness, is a moral issue of its own - bringing up the issues of rights

I think there is a more basic moral issue at base here like 'Do no harm!' and that lying is a red herring,
we would then have to determine what harm is and choose and action and be responsible for the outcome.

Not lying to me smacks of a get-out clause for not taking responsibility and being a 'good' person. So the idea that there are exceptions ot the rule seem a bit crazy somehow just like keeping yourself right explaining yourself rather than standing behind the consequences of your actions and learning from them. I think its hard to have to take responsibility and understand why we would have bottom covering systems in place to cushion the defence afterwards.

Answer 3

It is not justifiable. It is excusable, and dependent upon the why's. If it is to save someones life, or if it is to help someone we love, like say your grandma is dying and she is saying to you, are we going shopping today and you say yes? Is that lying? No that is just appeasing her in her imagination. But blatent lies like, if you robbed a bank and lied about it, well that is a problem now isnt it. They cant justify that lie. Or if you get caught in a lie, like if you were smoking grass, and you are caught and yet they smell it and find your joint? Well now what? The truth wins out in those cases. Getting away with a lie is for self preservation but it is not called justice, that comes later and all on its own. It is called the Karma. What we do in the dark comes out in the light always. And all catches up with you whether you are caught or not.

Answer 4

It's justifiable when people can't responsibly handle the truth. When you know people are going to reach wrong conclusions from what you say, or they will use the "facts" you have given them to do evil, you should lie. What's interesting is that one of those lies is that you should never lie. Too many people would abuse the privilege if it wasn't drilled into their head that they shouldn't do it. By the way, this a good question you asked.

Answer 5

Lying may be acceptable where it protects the innocent and is done to stop people getting hurt, either emotionally or physically. The trouble with lying, even in such a well meant way, is that it often bounces back on the liar and causes problems. I think that is the meaning of a 'white lie' ........ no great sin but if it helps, it helps.

Answer 6

The premise that lying is wrong is in itself, a lie. Please hear me out.

In order to not only succeed, but survive in life, the ability to tell lies is required. This is an uncomfortable truth, but that in itself does not make it wrong. Life is uncomfortable and at times difficult to manage. Lies can make this trek a little easier or much more difficult depending on how good you are at it.

When is is justifiable? Think of life as moving gears. If your lie is like adding grease to the gears so they move easier, then it is justifiable. If it is one that will be like adding grit to gears (to yours or someone Innocent), then you should avoid it.

This answer will not be popular, but neither is the kid who is the first to tell his class mates that there is no Santa.

food for thought : )

Answer 7

Imagine you are a householder in Nazi Germany sheltering a Jewish family in your house. Storm troopers arrive at your door, "Is anyone else here beside yourself?" they enquire. This kind of situation seems to be one in which lying is not only justifiable but the best course of action. Kant fudges the issues declaring such statements are not lies but he is just wrong.

One might hold that novels, films, etc. are lies

More controversially, there is a good case to be made that one is not required to tell the truth when on is placed under duress.

Answer 8

the status of an action (in this case lying) as being morally right or wrong is tied partly but essentially, to the status of the motive or intention that lies behind this action. in this, deontological views are oppossed to consequentialist views, where the moral right or wrongness of an action is seen as being determined solely by the conseqenses of the action and has nothing to do with the motive with wich a person perfoms that action.

so lies can be justified by good intent ( lying to granny about going shopping). deontological moral theory.
or
justified by a good outcome (lying to save someones life). consequentialist moral theory.

lying about santa is morally repugnant and should be met with extreme predudice. small trolls theory of devient morallity!

Answer 9

Maybe to save yours or somebody else's life but I think generally lying is a bad thing and causes lots of problems in relationships and can come back and bite your bum if you are not good at it. Prolific liars are dangerous people and cannot be trusted.

Answer 10

It is my personal belief that it is not lying in and of itself that is wrong, but malicious lies that are wrong. If you lie to spare someone's feelings, I don't believe that is wrong. If you lie regarding a matter of substance, then I think you've done something that's wrong.