are white lies morally acceptable?

Question

on what situations do we need to use white lies?

Answer 1

Not only are they morally acceptable, they're absolutely necessary from time to time!

Answer 2

Hi ako 2
I guess I would let you answer your own question by asking you how much does it matter to you that I give you an honest answer?

Our credibilty is in direct proportion to our honesty.
Honesty is only important if having credibility and a good reputation among your peers is important to you.

If you don't care if people can trust you or not, then honesty isn't that important.

It's not just what other people think. It matters to you as well what you think about yourself. Even if you managed to fool everyone else, you would still know the truth. You would have to go through life knowing that you are a false person.

So the real question is - is honesty important to you?

God wants you to have credibility to the point where no one would ever doubt a word you say. Your reputation should be so solid that if you told people you won the lottery they wouldn't even question it; wouldn't require proof, wouldn't ask to see the winning ticket; they would simply take you at your word.

For me this is extremely important, personally and professionally. I'm in law enforcement - I'm nothing without my reputation. I couldn't testify effectively in court if I had a credibility problem.

We can avoid even the white lies. We should instead learn to speak tactfully so as to avoid hurting others feelings.
Being tactfully honest right up front will avoid further complications.

Answer 3

No lies are morally acceptable. Try to avoid lying by just telling the truth and taking responsibility for the way you feel.
Accept the consequences of your behavior and avoid actions that will result in your needing to tell any kind of a lie. Most white lies are told in order to justify other behaviors we do not want to explain to anyone or to avoid unpleasant social consequences. All lies are bad because they give birth to more lies in order to keep them going and they become progressively, more complicated the deeper they get until one's entire life can become a great big package of lies.

Answer 4

Tricky tricky tricky ;)

White lies.....like that there is a Santa Claus and Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy etc? Those could be considered white lies.

White lies can be when someone asks you if they look good in this dress, shade of lipstick, haircut, etc, when they clearly don't....but you tell them yes anyway so that you don't hurt their feelings.

I think there are varying degrees of white lies and while I can't go so far as to say it is *always* morally acceptable to tell a white lie....I do think that in *certain* situations it is morally acceptable to tell white lies.

I grew up believing in Santa Claus etc and never even gave it a second thought when I discovered there really isn't one actual person who is Santa Claus....it wasn't until my son, at about the age of seven, told me that he knew I was Santa...and even though it was a white lie, and those are wrong, he understood why I told him and his sisters the lie....

Kids, most of the time, are much smarter than we as adults think they are ;)

Answer 5

shop analyzing the bible and you will quickly stop believing in it. it particularly is the comprehend the almighty God, authentic? The very instructions of an all-powerful, ideal being, so how ought to ANY of or no longer it particularly is incorrect? you're to take the bible actually. each comprehend it. something much less and you at the instant are not a sturdy Christian. yet wait, your particular situation seems to pass against the above good judgment! Curious! ought to or no longer it particularly is that the bible is in basic terms a "instruction manual" for residing a sturdy existence and is no longer meant to be taken actually? yet whilst it is the case, then why could a ideal God enable such blasphemy? Why could this type of God enable his Holy be conscious to be imprecise and open to interpretation? this type of direction may lead one to have self belief that God would not particularly exist, and that interior the top the ethical determination which you attain on your guy or woman is in simple terms as the main suitable option because of the fact the only the bible replaced into suggesting. wherein case, why do you pick the bible? pay attention on your heart and use your head. have self belief what you like, yet do no longer enable your faith blind you.

Answer 6

I believe no lies are acceptable, but in the case of a white lie, it would be considered a non truth that could spare someones feelings, or spare yourself embarrassment.

it like your wife (slightly over weight) asking you "AM I FAT"?? The best answer is "no" (unless your heartless). that little white lie just helped her boost her self-esteem, making the relationship smoother, and making her feel better about herself.

just be careful, too many white lies can turn into one nasty black lie, which can be harmful.

so be honest as much as you can, and avoid those skeletons building up in the closet.

Answer 7

I used to worry about that, and then I realized i was being lied to, deceived, used, manipulated and 1/2 truths and witheld truths everywhere- so White lies are the least of my worries........

Answer 8

Good question!!! My question in return is who's morals are you using as a measuring tool as to whether they are "morally" acceptable? Probably not acceptable but we all use them from time to time...

Answer 9

I have used white lies just to not hurt someone's feelings. They also come in handy at work, when you don't get something done.

Answer 10

Yes, but only if they hurt no one, or cause anyone harm directly of indirectly.
When the outcome outweighs any harmthat could be done by telling the truth.