Vasquez on 27/9/2011 at 06:08
This is from another thread, but such an interesting topic I had to start a new thread. Here's what got me thinking:
Quote Posted by Aerothorn
Lying: Moral Choice in Public and Private Life: I'm actually still in the process of reading this, but it's been really important to me so far. I've been a lying puritan since I developed the capacity for moral reasoning; first in an absolutist sense, later in that I only applied my "no lying" doctrine to myself, not to others. As one might imagine, it's never come from a wholly rational place. This book conducts a thorough, brilliant analysis of the costs of lying in every conceivable situation. It is not a polemic, leaving it to the reader to determine what is situational, but neither does it shy from hard truths (that almost everyone is a hypocrit when it comes to deception). A brilliant work.
So now I'm asking TTLGers' thoughts on lying. Do you ever lie? If so, when? Do you justify your lies rationally to yourself, or do you lie without thinking of it too much?
EDIT: And what
is lying to you? Is it only when you tell something else than the truth when asked, or are you "lying" even when you don't response to situations in the way you honestly feel about them? (For example, someone talks enthusiastically about their new hobby/house/car/pet/child and it doesn't really interest you - are you a liar if you keep politely listening and smiling instead of saying "Sorry, I couldn't care less"?)
I admit I'm a liar. But I never lie to hurt others, if anything I lie to avoid hurting others. For example, "What do you think of my new hairstyle?" is IMO the kind of question when you can tell a nice lie if the person seems to really like the new hair, but you don't find it terribly becoming.
Not to mention very delicate and personal situations, like when you tell someone you don't want to date him anymore, and he asks "Why?"
Also I easily tell a white lie if it helps me avoid trouble over small stuff, but never if it might happen on someone else's expense. I've lied to my parents, especially when I was younger, but sometimes still do, if I know telling the truth might get them all wound up and worried (as those of you who have kids know, you'll never really stop worrying over them, even when they're all grown up).
Still, I think of myself as basically an honest person. How weird is that? ;)
Azaran on 27/9/2011 at 06:35
I only lie when telling the truth could get me ostracized or ridiculed, or somehow endanger my life. E.g., if I suddenly found myself in Medieval Europe under the watchful eye of the Church, I'd have to pretend to be a Christian, because otherwise I might not live long. I think that type of lie is perfectly justified, if the context requires it.
Aside from that, if I didn't want to hurt someone's feelings, I might avoid pointing out their flaws, and instead focus on the positive traits - I sometimes prefer partial truths to the alternative.
Nicker on 27/9/2011 at 06:38
No.
june gloom on 27/9/2011 at 06:58
Yes.
Vernon on 27/9/2011 at 07:01
I am a liar
heh epimenides paradox suck it down
Thirith on 27/9/2011 at 07:01
My answer would pretty much be identical to Aerothorn's. I used to lie more (although I don't think I was ever a pathological liar), always finding justifications for why I'd not tell the truth in some situation, but I've come to think that in many cases lying isn't the best option or even a particularly good one, it's just a convenient one.
Perhaps I've just been indoctrinated by those damn dirty Jedi, though.
Nicker on 27/9/2011 at 07:20
Quote Posted by dethtoll
Yes.
Bullshit!
Yakoob on 27/9/2011 at 07:23
I lie if I can benefit significantly from it and know I can get away with it. So no, never.
Syndy/3 on 27/9/2011 at 07:38
Lying is a social necessity. It's the glue that keeps society together. If everyone told everyone the truth all the time we wouldn't even have gotten out of our caves yet.
Vasquez on 27/9/2011 at 08:02
Quote Posted by Syndy/3
If everyone told everyone the truth all the time we wouldn't even have gotten out of our caves yet.
Or would have killed each other to extinction ;)
