Is lying selfish?

Question

The average person believes so.
There is a lot of evidence towards it.
I'm researching the philosophical resoning to lie.

But I'm interested in anyone who strongly believes that lying is not selfish other than in situations in which the lying is used to get SOMONE ELSE out of trouble.

Could you please answer in proper english.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Lying is more cowardly than selfish. We take recourse to lies because we are not courageous enough to face the expected consequences of speaking the truth.

But then cowardice itself is caused by self-preservation instinct, which however I believe to be rather different from being selfish.

On a deeper analysis, everything we do is to fulfil some desire and lying is no exception. The root of desires is of course self. So is everything we do a selfish act? Not really.... sometimes our self seeks gratification in selfless acts as well, and that is not defined as selfish.

I hope you find my English proper enough for whatever purposes you wanted it to be so. I further hope you will find some ideas here to progress your research on the philosophical reasoning to lie.

Answer 2

selfishness-1. as in concern with one own needs,or agenda.
also,2. self protection,self preservation.

most lies are under this 2nd category.an untruth told to protect oneself from punishment or disapproval.
this is the first type of lie a child tells.it is not taught to the child, it is instinctual and comes naturally.
then later come the lies that impress others as a child is put into more social interactions.again it is self preserving.
by adolescence a person knows truth from fiction and has been taught that truth is the best policy and that lies are unacceptable behavior. at this point reason and morals begin to override the basic instinct to protect oneself through dishonesty.(some never reach this point) I believe that these examples are unselfish in the way that they are not premeditated lies for the sake lying or gain. but a natural reaction to a fear of harm or rejection from society.
depending upon the persons self honesty and emotional health ,adults work to keep that under control.
selfish lies would be those premeditated with the intent of gaining social superiority,material wealth,or domination over others.
peace><>

Answer 3

I base my morality on Kant's categorical imperative: here's the short version--ask yourself "what kind of world would this be if everyone acted like you?" Then act in ways that make the world a good place, if everyone did so.

The categorical imperative tells me that truth should be the policy unless some greater good would be compromised by it.

Thus, lying in order to keep myself out of trouble--or to keep someone else out of trouble--is not appropriate, presuming that the 'trouble' was a deserved consequence of some action or inaction or incompetence.

However, lying to preserve someone's life or welfare from undeserved harm is completely ethical and, in those cases, to fail to lie would be wrong. The old hypothetical "what do you tell the Nasi S.S. when they ask if you know any Jews?" is no problem at all to me; I tell the murdering fascists "No" and my falsehood is completely ethical.

In that sort of case, lying would be entirely unselfish; turning in the Jews would protect me from suspicion, and the Nazis might reward me for cooperating/collaborating.

Answer 4

Yes. Lying is selfish and very self-centered. Most people lie to keep from getting into trouble or to keep others from thinking badly of them.

Answer 5

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Aaah ok - I don't think lying is selfish

Why? Because it is self destructive not self preserving or self aligned.

Lying destroys the one who lies more indefinitely than the one whom has been lied to.

Even a psychopath, without guilt, without remorse - will lose when lying, it serves not satisfactory life affirming momentum ... it only stagnates and confuses the self.

Love to all.
Lavida rose

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Answer 6

I lie to provoke my students and others to think. Of course, I'm hoping that they will uncover my lies and begin their exploration of what's really going on. I don't think that is selfish. Is that anything like you want?

Answer 7

1.lying can be selfless when you have to lie to someone because you know the truth may hurt them.

2. or if you want something ( or someone) and your friend, for example wants the same, if you lie to the person and say you do not want it because you want them to have it.

stupid examples, I know, but you get the picture?

Answer 8

yes, I believe it is. I think that lien is one looking out for one self, and not thinking of how it might affect others, and the pain, heart ace, and dis trust it can and does cause. Lieing, reflects ones insecurity, and dishonesty with them self.

Answer 9

If my heavy mother asks me if this dress makes her looks fat, and I say no. I don't consider that selfish.