Lying can simple be defined as not telling the truth or intentionally giving out wrong information. People lie for different reasons, mainly to protect themselves, look good, gain financially or socially and avoid punishment.
Lying is rarely a good thing to do, and more often than not nothing is gained from it. Lying can often get worse with the passage of time, when you get away with a lie; it can compel you to carry on telling them.
‘White’ lies are used by almost everyone; these types of lies normally told to protect someone’s feelings and are not a big deal at all. Lies are often told to children in particular, where they are used to either protect or entertain them, the most common example of a lie to entertain is ‘Santa Claus’.
The worst types of lies are those where people get hurt, normally innocent people. Although I do not necessarily agree the world would be a better place if everyone always told the truth, as the truth can also hurt people. The worst part of a lie is the deceit and the sense of betrayal.
Other types of lies include, lying about something bad, or sinful you’ve done (infidelity), lying in people’s best interests, political lies (propaganda), throwing a ‘sickie’, benefit fraud, and lying to protect yourself and others.
Political lies are considered a good thing, and it would be somewhat immoral for politicians not to lie. We consider the truth as a good thing, but why is telling the truth more important than preserving family life? If one partner cheats, and it’s a one off would it not be better to not say anything and save the family, only if it became compulsive, then something needs to be said?
I believe that honesty is the best policy; no-one likes a liar. Although I can’t see the harm with the odd white lie, there are other more important values than telling the truth. So should the truth always come first? Some would empirically believe that a lie should never be told, but I consider some lies understandable.
Lying is rarely a good thing to do, and more often than not nothing is gained from it. Lying can often get worse with the passage of time, when you get away with a lie; it can compel you to carry on telling them.
‘White’ lies are used by almost everyone; these types of lies normally told to protect someone’s feelings and are not a big deal at all. Lies are often told to children in particular, where they are used to either protect or entertain them, the most common example of a lie to entertain is ‘Santa Claus’.
The worst types of lies are those where people get hurt, normally innocent people. Although I do not necessarily agree the world would be a better place if everyone always told the truth, as the truth can also hurt people. The worst part of a lie is the deceit and the sense of betrayal.
Other types of lies include, lying about something bad, or sinful you’ve done (infidelity), lying in people’s best interests, political lies (propaganda), throwing a ‘sickie’, benefit fraud, and lying to protect yourself and others.
Political lies are considered a good thing, and it would be somewhat immoral for politicians not to lie. We consider the truth as a good thing, but why is telling the truth more important than preserving family life? If one partner cheats, and it’s a one off would it not be better to not say anything and save the family, only if it became compulsive, then something needs to be said?
I believe that honesty is the best policy; no-one likes a liar. Although I can’t see the harm with the odd white lie, there are other more important values than telling the truth. So should the truth always come first? Some would empirically believe that a lie should never be told, but I consider some lies understandable.
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This picture was called 'The morality of lying', so thought it would be
appropriate.
appropriate.
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