My husband says absolute honesty, but we have discussed this in Philosophy class, and sometimes the truth is worse than a lie. I think that betrayal is worse than lying. What do you think?
2007-03-21 04:34:47 · 19 answers · asked by kyeann 5 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
I believe in absolute honesty -- and, sometimes, I lie (usually "to not hurt another person's feelings). That said, consider this: by not being truthful to the other, isn't THAT more hurtful, whether or not they actually know they're being lied to?
If you (or I) don't want to say something, rather than lying, can't we just say: I don't want to talk about it. That's certainly true, in my case!
P.S. For me, betrayal is a form of lying. Both totally erode trust.
2007-03-21 05:12:02 · answer #1 · answered by pat z 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that there is a higher cause than an abstract concept such as honesty. That is to protect your self
Lying of course should not be practiced on abundance , becaude then it will become a great detrement to your exhistance.
If the lie is for your own self; and honesty will not be of any help to you; but it may cause an immediate problem* , then you must lie.
One must remember that only the moment is real . If the lie or dishonesty will help help the moment and it willnot have tangible consequences,then it must be done .
After that' moment of reality' the future is an abstract and so is the past .
If t your lie or dishonesty, will not not have any tangible consequences, and t honesty it will not be of any help ; to yourself and to the "here and now" ,then is an obligation to your self to, lie or be dishonest if needed .
Addendum
*
One must be careful if the lie or the dishonesty will have not have a concrete consequence in the future. For that is the real problem to the lie.
But if the lie is an abstract , then it will not have a tangible consequence, and it is better in the long run to appease the moment with a lie than to be honest.
Therefore , honesty can be superfluous but still be honest!. Yet , if it serves no purpose ,"in the moment" ; either to protect or ebhance your being : do not do it
2007-03-21 12:39:06 · answer #2 · answered by CLAUDIO P 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I like to avoid lying, even if I do not adhere to this notion perfectly. Lying can often bring on more trouble than telling the truth does. Look at Bill Clinton, Scooter Libby or President Bush. However, being honest does not mean being tactless. It is not what you say, but how you say it. Why would anyone want his wife going out in a dress that looks ridiculous, just to keep from hurting her feelings? Why not be tactful and words your words carefully? That is why I often believe that questions like the one posed here present false dilemmas.
2007-03-21 13:42:20 · answer #3 · answered by sokrates 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that honesty is the best policy!! However, sometimes things are better left unsaid and that wouldn't be lieing???? But if someone asks you to give your honest truth so be it....they might not agree but tell them this or explain why you feel this way(for them to get a better understanding.)
However, if you lie... there's always a way someone can find out you're lieing...so you might as well tell the truth!!
2007-03-21 11:41:39 · answer #4 · answered by stoutunicorn 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Completely Honesty. Sometimes the truth hurts, but it is better to know then to be lied to. When it comes to betrayal, knwoing would definitley hurt, but would you rather have them lie to you. At that point it would be both a betrayal and a trust issue.
2007-03-21 11:41:04 · answer #5 · answered by scrow_80 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmmm..i believe in absolute honesty, i think a lie would hurt even more than the truth could ever hurt...even if you are lying to protect somebody..
2007-03-21 14:05:49 · answer #6 · answered by Scarlett 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is this story from Hiding Place, Cory Ten Booms' book. She believed in honesty so completely that when the Gestapo were at her house and asked where the Jews she was hiding were, she told the truth. She said 'under the table' They were very much under the table- under the trapdoor under the rug that was under the table!
Christ said that satan is the prince of lies. So to lie is probably a sin.
2007-03-21 12:27:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends. My boyfriend is absolutely honest about everything, and sometimes, it takes some paitence on my part. I'd say lying is okay as long as its a small lie, and as long as no one gets hurt. (like "Yeah, I LOVE your new haircut!) Honesty is the best policy if its someone you know well, its a small issue, and as long as the truth isn't going to affect anything negitively.
2007-03-21 11:44:44 · answer #8 · answered by paintmeblue719 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
isn't betrayal the same as lying . be honest with yourself, are you living the way you are. project who you are on the inside. truth is the only way to be happy, as least i think that, i know not many people believe that.
remember there is a difference between giving your opinion and telling the truth.
2007-03-21 16:17:19 · answer #9 · answered by lifeoutsidethecircle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Clearly, there are times in life when being "brutally" honest just isn't necessary. Do you really have to tell a person in detail what you think about their appearance? When people ask you out of courtesy,"How's it going," do they really expect a full report from you? I think not.
I think that most adults understand the concept of honesty vs courtesy and "white lies."
Generally, we know when a situation requires full disclosure and whether or not we are "withholding information."
2007-03-21 15:01:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋