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Sometimes a lie is the best thing to do. A battered woman comes to your door seeking to be hidden from her husband and you offer her asylum. Five minutes later her husband appears at the door with a ball bat in his hand and asks you if his wife is in your house. Is it correct to lie? I think so! some things aren't always black and white.
What if he's much bigger than you, and has been jailed 3 times for battery, and he's smashing up your house as he asks you if she's inside? What if you can't prevent him from entering the house? Do you feel you owe *him* the truth?
I think you "owe" everyone the truth, including yourself. Just because something seems to be in your best interests, or even the best choice available to you, does not mean it is always a good choice. (And it's interesting that you use the language of barter to illustrate your ideas about morality. I'm not snarking -- it's just interesting.)
But anyway. These kinds of online discussions are rarely fruitful. :) Your decisions are always and ultimately your own to make.
Hey greenapple, thanks for a thoughtful reply. I'm always interested in discussing issues where I feel confident about an argument but someone seems quite sure I'm wrong. :) I'm not sure what you mean about the language of barter. The point I'm trying to make is in a scenario where telling a lie would prevent unwarranted violence, I think it's the right thing to do. I do believe in absolutes, but this ain't one of 'em! A pleasant day to you as well.
Netherlands
Sometimes a lie is the best thing to do. A battered woman comes to your door seeking to be hidden from her husband and you offer her asylum. Five minutes later her husband appears at the door with a ball bat in his hand and asks you if his wife is in your house. Is it correct to lie? I think so! some things aren't always black and white.
Lying may be pragmatic, but that doesn't mean it isn't also inherently bad.
In this case though it's not just pragmatic, it's the ethical thing to do.
How about saying, "Yes, she is," and preventing him entering the house?
What if he's much bigger than you, and has been jailed 3 times for battery, and he's smashing up your house as he asks you if she's inside? What if you can't prevent him from entering the house? Do you feel you owe *him* the truth?
greenapple - "Boost" is one of our test accounts, that was me (aaron) replying. Sorry for the confusion.
I think you "owe" everyone the truth, including yourself. Just because something seems to be in your best interests, or even the best choice available to you, does not mean it is always a good choice. (And it's interesting that you use the language of barter to illustrate your ideas about morality. I'm not snarking -- it's just interesting.)
But anyway. These kinds of online discussions are rarely fruitful. :) Your decisions are always and ultimately your own to make.
I wish you a pleasant day.
Hey greenapple, thanks for a thoughtful reply. I'm always interested in discussing issues where I feel confident about an argument but someone seems quite sure I'm wrong. :) I'm not sure what you mean about the language of barter. The point I'm trying to make is in a scenario where telling a lie would prevent unwarranted violence, I think it's the right thing to do. I do believe in absolutes, but this ain't one of 'em! A pleasant day to you as well.
if a vote "agree", does it mean that a lie is always bad or that a lies is NOT always bad?
You're agreeing that a lie is always bad.
I agree, it depends on the circumstances.
You can't agree or disagree to a question.
If you don't want to be lied to, quit asking so many questions ;)