Is it ever morally permissable to lie?

Question

under what circumstances?

Answer 1

What is called 'moral' is a cover up for our human nature in which lying and pretending is an important survival game. Observing this within oneself and ones surrounding, then realizing truth and understanding reality, one can free oneself from lies.

Answer 2

Yes, of course it is morally permissible to lie to prevent some harms. But, there are too many possible circumstances to list when it is and is not permissible. In general, I would say that first, it is NEVER permissible to LIE TO YOURSELF. Second, it is better to remain silent rather than to lie, if possible, except when lives or property are in danger of harm. Third, do you really have personal knowledge of the matter you are lying or not lying about?-- or are you just repeating what someone else said, or what you suspect but don't know from your own observation? Finally, do you have enough knowledge of the entire situation to tell the whole truth about it? Partial truths are sometimes lies themselves.

If the matter is something that would keep you out of trouble with a lie, there are many grey areas there too. If it's a legal matter, remain silent, get an attorney and don't lie to him or her. If it's your parents, it is childish and foolish to lie to them (unless they are abusers). If you are in a school or employment situation, it is better to be completely honest even if you get into some trouble. It will always be less trouble than lying about it too. While protecting yourself with a lie may seem best in the short term, unless your life is in danger it is always worse to be discovered a liar as well as whatever else you did.
Too many circumstances to discuss!

Answer 3

oooo...good question. I say yes, but with a caveat of course. Take for example, you're planning a surprise party for a loved one. To keep it a surprise (if at all possible) you have to make an excuse for why you need to go wherever. It's still a lie, but with a valid reason. And that is my caveat..so long as you have a valid reason (and the definition of this is another question in itself), then morally I have no problem. In some cases, SOME I stress, not telling the truth fully can be helpful in certain health discussions. It is a gray area for certain..but sometimes, patients or family respond better when given a slightly better outlook. (This example would take a whole discussion to fully explain but hopefully you might see the point).

Overall however, I try very hard to never lie.

Answer 4

Lying is in the human nature. The average person will lie 110 times a day. I am not lying about this.
Rather than focusing on the question of lying look at why your asking the question.
It is not Morally your job to protect others or make decisions for them by withholding information or giving it when your not asked for it.

Balance is the answer- lie to others the same way you would want to be lied too! Think about that for a while.

Good Luck

Answer 5

It is never morally permissible to lie. However, that said, it may be morally permissible to withhold part - or even all - of the truth. This is particularly true if someone is asking for information to which he has no right, or for information that wouldn't be of any real benefit.

Answer 6

Sure it is, whenever the alternative would be worse (for others). For instance, you're living in WW2 Germany and you know that your neighbor is hiding a Jewish family in their attic. Some Nazis knock on your door and ask you if you know of any Jews hiding out around town. Obviously, telling the truth in that instance would NOT be a good thing!

What is not a good reason for lying would be lying for personal gain at the expense of others, or as a means of dodging personal responsibility. Unfortunately it would seem like these are the most common reasons used for lying.

Answer 7

It is thought that the wrongness or rightnes of an act does not lie in the act itself but in the intention of the actor. If one lies, the act itself is neutral. If the liar intended it as something good, it is thereby good. 'God, considers not what is done, but what the spirit has done; and the merit or praise of the agent lies not in the deed, but in the intention-Abellard.
If one acts in terms of what he thinks is right, if he believes he is doing good and seeks to do good, he may err, but he does not sin. An example is a criminal chasing an intended target. The intended target turns to the left as you saw it. The criminal asks you if you have seen his intended target, you will say he turned to the right-you lied with your intention to protect the intended target-and thus may save his life.
Goodness, morality, then becomes a matter of conscience. The trully sinful man is one who acts with a desire to do wrong.
So going back to your question,yes, it is morally permissible to lie if your intention is good.

Answer 8

Morally no. Why lie lest you know it's not the right thing you should do consciously. Every one lies, just the same, just to escape harm or injury or any hurt that follows. To hide the truth. That doesn't hide them from man's or God's justice in the end.

Answer 9

To make a marriage more acceptable. Complimenting the husband or the wife when you do not really think a quality is in her or him to strengthen bonds. Same with friends. To build good relationships. Of course, you say this with good intentions but you shouldn't go behind their backs and say the opposite. Defeats the purpose.

Answer 10

It is morally acceptable to lie if it serves a greater common good. Furthermore, it would be morally acceptable to kill for a greater common good. Examples should not be necessary.