Lying as a Moral Choice - Do we acknowledge to ourselves, when we lie, that we are making a moral choice - or has it gotten to the point that we lie automatically?

What is wrong with lying? Is it true that "a good person does not lie?"

Lies accomplish deception, yet moralists have never claimed that all deception is wrong. In what ways could deception be considered "right," or moral?

The definition of a lie - "A lie is a statement, believed by the liar to be false, made to another person with the intention that the person be deceived by the statement."

What makes lying wrong? What makes deception wrong, when it is wrong?

Imagine living in a world where lying was the norm, and telling the truth an uncommon practice. In such a world, you could never trust anything you were told or anything you read. You would have to find out everything for yourself, first-hand.

We benefit enormously by living in a world in which a great deal of truth exists - a world in which the practice of truth-telling is widespread. All the important things you want to do in life are made possible by pervasive trust.

The Principle of Veracity:

A lie is advantageous only in circumstances where people will believe it - only where a practice of truth-telling generally prevails.

The liar, therefore, has to view her/himself as different if they think a different rule applies to them than applies to everybody else. This is a form of egalitarianism.

Two Steps to the Principle of Veracity

1. You must believe that you personally benefit from a system that you want others to do their part in maintaining.
2. There must be reciprocity or fair play, requiring you to do your part in maintaining the system if others are doing their part.

Justified Lies - When, if ever, is lying morally justified, when not? How can you know? How should you go about deciding?

Bok's "Mechanical Procedure" - Her "Scheme of Applied Publicity," has an Introspective and an Active part.

Introspective - Consult your conscience. (See p.4). The "reasonable person" litmus test.

Active - Consult others regarding your decision - "Others" here indicates people of all allegiances - both like and unlike you in nature.

Role Reversal - How would you feel if you were the one being lied to?

No one wants to be harmed by a lie.

(Fullinwider, Robert K., 'Sissela Bok on lying and moral choice in private and public life - an amplification,' the encyclopedia of informal education, www.infed.org/thinkers/bok_lying.htm. Last updated: March 16, 2007)