| UF Philosophy Corner - Ethics |
by MatthewDBA |
2008-08-27 07:22:49 |
(thought I would advertise the general topic in the subject line so people knew)
Yesterday we talked about whether fiction was a lie or not, and whether it was ethical to include elements of truth in something that otherwise purported to be true. People seemed to generally have the idea that while in some circumstances (e.g. the example I used yesterday) it could be a lie, it was probably not unethical to change some parts of a true story - *if* no one was hurt by the change. The idea seemed to be that "if it doesn't hurt anyone, it's probably not unethical."
Today's question isn't directly related, but it sort of takes off from there: Are there any situations in which lying is ethically preferable to telling the truth?
Note: it's possible to tell the truth in a very diplomatic way, or in such a way that the listener can discover and accept the truth for himself. I'm not talking about that - I'm asking whether there are any times when it's unethical to tell the truth? Or at least less ethical than to tell a lie? |
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[ Reply ] |
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It strongly depends on one's sense of ethics. | by EnzoMatrix | 2008-08-27 07:35:16 |
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I want to make sure I understand your meaning. | by MatthewDBA | 2008-08-27 07:40:48 |
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that mainly has to do with short term vs. | by EnzoMatrix | 2008-08-27 07:53:19 |
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Yes, when not lying will lead to something | by Jeff_UK | 2008-08-27 07:41:52 |
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That's my question, though | by MatthewDBA | 2008-08-27 07:53:31 |
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Gestapo: Are you hiding Jews in your house? (n/t) | by Control | 2008-08-27 08:04:21 |
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Ouch.. Farfetched. but true enough. | by EnzoMatrix | 2008-08-27 08:05:45 |
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Even long term, it would be right to lie | by Control | 2008-08-27 08:08:43 |
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It sounds like intent plays no role. | by tallastro | 2008-08-27 08:52:29 |
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Good one - I didn't think of that. | by MatthewDBA | 2008-08-27 08:12:22 |
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Yes, I would think so. | by tallastro | 2008-08-27 07:43:40 |
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That makes sense | by MatthewDBA | 2008-08-27 07:52:21 |
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Estimate the chances of being found out. | by EnzoMatrix | 2008-08-27 07:55:32 |
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This is my standard for a good life. | by tallastro | 2008-08-27 08:21:41 |
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Wow. Lots of good questions. | by MatthewDBA | 2008-08-27 08:29:15 |
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Yes--client confidentiality | by bitflipper | 2008-08-27 07:48:09 |
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Those don't require lying, just withholding. (n/t) | by tallastro | 2008-08-27 07:54:11 |
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In the case of client confidentiality, though, | by MatthewDBA | 2008-08-27 07:56:19 |
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No, and even dangerous! | by EnzoMatrix | 2008-08-27 08:04:18 |
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Exactly | by bitflipper | 2008-08-27 08:13:22 |
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ah but there is truth (-= and the truth. )-= | by joecrouse | 2008-08-27 09:48:40 |
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Ethics of working for three-letter agencies? | by vetitice | 2008-08-27 08:04:04 |
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BWAHAHAHA!!!!11 *cough* | by JimK | 2008-08-27 08:44:46 |
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O.o?? | by bitflipper | 2008-08-27 08:48:51 |
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Operation Paperclip still hard at work ;-) (n/t) | by vetitice | 2008-08-27 09:59:51 |
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I miss Malvern. Had a good time there. | by vetitice | 2008-08-27 09:58:45 |
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Here's one that will make you think: | by BloodyViking | 2008-08-27 08:10:53 |
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Ooh, I like it. | by MatthewDBA | 2008-08-27 08:16:57 |
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That is why I specified that | by BloodyViking | 2008-08-27 08:31:35 |
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But the reason why the doctor's word is effective | by hej | 2008-08-27 16:12:07 |
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The only case I can think where telling a lie | by SaylorA | 2008-08-27 08:10:57 |
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How about a doctor to patient? | by fractaledge | 2008-08-27 08:24:21 |
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Related to the placebo effect above. (n/t) | by fractaledge | 2008-08-27 08:26:27 |
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Okay, here's a follow-up question. | by MatthewDBA | 2008-08-27 08:48:25 |
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Doesn't it come back to harm? | by bitflipper | 2008-08-27 08:52:49 |
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In that case | by MatthewDBA | 2008-08-27 08:56:20 |
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Perhaps it goes back to evaluation of harm. | by fractaledge | 2008-08-27 09:13:27 |
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There is that. There is also the fact | by bitflipper | 2008-08-27 09:20:32 |
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cost/benefit | by tallastro | 2008-08-27 10:41:26 |
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But if people are considering deception | by MatthewDBA | 2008-08-27 10:46:20 |
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Did you notice that in the vast majority | by tallastro | 2008-08-27 11:10:22 |
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That's a good point | by MatthewDBA | 2008-08-27 11:14:51 |
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Politics springs to mind but is that an ethical | by tallastro | 2008-08-27 11:45:12 |
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Because lying has very different harm in different | by hej | 2008-08-27 15:55:44 |
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For the bonus question: | by MatthewDBA | 2008-08-27 09:47:03 |
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So there must be a pragmatic component | by bitflipper | 2008-08-27 09:50:51 |
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I don't think that's necessarily the case | by MatthewDBA | 2008-08-27 09:56:09 |
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True hedonism is self limiting. | by oldphart | 2008-08-27 09:56:54 |
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That's why I specified | by MatthewDBA | 2008-08-27 09:59:42 |
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Because it can be important in a different context | by oldphart | 2008-08-27 09:47:32 |
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Of course it can be unethical to tell the truth. | by oldphart | 2008-08-27 09:41:24 |
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"Consequences are always | by MatthewDBA | 2008-08-27 09:43:45 |
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of course. | by joecrouse | 2008-08-27 09:45:23 |
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sometimes people are better off not knowing. (n/t) | by joecrouse | 2008-08-27 09:45:42 |
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But how can you decide for someone else | by MatthewDBA | 2008-08-27 09:49:25 |
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more like taking you personaly | by joecrouse | 2008-08-27 09:54:49 |
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sometimes you got to lie to protect | by joecrouse | 2008-08-27 09:55:33 |
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Depends how important | by MatthewDBA | 2008-08-27 09:58:43 |
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I'd rather you told my wife | by MatthewDBA | 2008-08-27 09:58:04 |
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Dude do you really want to be laughed at | by joecrouse | 2008-08-27 10:01:55 |
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Would I care? | by MatthewDBA | 2008-08-27 10:09:17 |
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Yes, sometimes it is more ethical to lie. | by adiplomat | 2008-08-27 10:36:47 |
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I was thinking a very similar example. | by tallastro | 2008-08-27 12:48:32 |
