2007-04-30 11:08:04 · 41 answers · asked by Banshee 7 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Some of the answers you have received are disappointing in that the writers don't show any appreciation of the simple fact that if people can't be trusted to be telling the truth in normal circumstances, the result is that communication, relationships, the justice system and society all begin to break down.
The utilitarian principle (the greatest good of the greatest number) demands that one should normally be truthful. This, of course, doesn't preclude fiction, when everybody knows the story isn't literally true.
There are circumstances in which it is justifiable to tell a lie, and some of the answers already given have suggested such circumstances. In general, if telling the truth would cause more harm than lying, lying is justified, and the protection of a child's life is one, fairly extreme, example of such an occasion.
Part of the message of moral philosophy is that the rules of morality are no more than guidelines. In the heat of the moment we need the guidelines, but unfortunately it is also in the heat of the moment that we need to recognise that there are exceptions.
I hope this helps, but you have raised an enormous question that can't be answered in a few words. I'd like to know whether you have any thoughts on the question yourself and whether it's theoretical or arises from your own experience.
2007-05-01 05:37:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This question suggests that lying is wrong. Where did the notion ever come from that to lie is unjust?
Many of the answers given with relation to saving a life, or keeping a family at peace with each other all show that a lie is not wrong. Lies and truth both do harm, and both do good.
Before the lie or truth is told it would be better if people asked the question 'What will be the outcome and impact if i say this?'
You may not need to lie, but you could change what is said to give a less harmful and more truthful answer.
2007-05-01 00:29:00 · answer #2 · answered by SteveJB 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is never cool to lie, thus when u lie you have to remember exactly what you said exactly what you meant an after awhile lies turn inward and the lies never stop and people never look at you the same way or wish to trust you completely again. Experience in this has taught myself all about sticking to the truth no matter how painful, no matter humiliating to my physical self it is. Truth you never have to memorize or recite like a play.
Yes we are all actors and actresses, yet we should all try to make truth a better play then the generation before us.
Cheers everyone!
2007-05-08 08:54:53 · answer #3 · answered by KENYA J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Better to day nothing than to lie. The truth always comes out in the end anyway, so a lie just delays truth then you have a whole lot of explaining to do.
2007-05-07 09:30:42 · answer #4 · answered by TexasDolly 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any action can be justifiable by a person who deludes them self. As to the person being lied to, some people spend most of their life in denial, and would rather not have their boat rocked by truth.
2007-04-30 14:13:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anything can be justified, however, is it not necessarily right or just. Justified simply means to attempt to prove an act as right or proper. The only thing any person can tell you on this is to use your best judgment.
2007-04-30 11:35:15 · answer #6 · answered by Jimbo W 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A lie is justifiable anytime when, in the long term, it is useful to you. Serving yourself and your own needs is a person's first priority. The feelings and needs of other must always be secondary.
2007-04-30 11:16:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The only circumstance I can think of would be to keep someone from being injured or killed. I am not talking about saving a criminal, but an innocent person.
2007-04-30 11:30:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lying is always wrong, especially when you do it to get someone else in trouble for something you did. Like people on here report other people for no reason, that's what happened to me, and I didn't do anything, so someone lied about me. I don't know who it was, but that was very mean and I wish that people would stop lying about everything. All people do it hurt other people when they lie, and I don't think it's right. People who tell their Friends to come on here and give people bad thumbs down and then report them for no reason, that's really uncool and makes it no fun to be on here. Lying is never ok, and people who think it is are wrong.
2007-05-02 05:25:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lie could be justifiable if it has a high aim...but honesty is still the best policy and that lie will be revealed...in the end...
2007-05-06 09:07:41 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋