Ethics of Lying
How can we morally justify lying/deception?
Lying is a process that is carried out by people of all ages, races, nationalities and societies. However, even though it is a common act to the majority of the world, it is considered morally incorrect, due to the fact that it provides misleading information that usually causes someone harm. There are three main components of a lie: a statement needs to be made, the person telling the lie must believe that the statement is false, and the statement must be portrayed as true (Mahon, J.). The statement made can be either verbal or non-verbal (meaning that a gesture with intended false meaning, is also a lie). The lier must believe that the statement is false in order for the statement to be a lie. For example, if a man tells his fThere is a great debate on whether lying is morally justifiable, and the two main arguments can be summarised into: lying is never justifiable; lying can sometimes be justifiable. Kant argues that lying is never morally allowed, without exception. However, it is difficult to live life with a rule that does not allow for exception, as there are always exceptions to every rule.
According to Kant, lying breaks the categorical imperative. This states that anything that one person does, everyone else should be allowed to do, all of the time, without exception. If there is any instance where lying can not be permitted, then lying must be considered 'always immoral,' in order to fit in with the categorical imperative (Mahon, J.). Kant repeats his message when he says, "truth is not a possession, the right to which can be granted to one person, but refused to another" (Mahon, J.). However, it is difficult to create a hard and fast rule to live life by, as there are constantly exceptions to every rule. For instance, there is a rule in driving theory in the UK, that states "one is not allowed to use a mobile phone while driving," however, the manual later states that it is acceptable to use a mobile
Lying is a process that is carried out by people of all ages, races, nationalities and societies. However, even though it is a common act to the majority of the world, it is considered morally incorrect, due to the fact that it provides misleading information that usually causes someone harm. There are three main components of a lie: a statement needs to be made, the person telling the lie must believe that the statement is false, and the statement must be portrayed as true (Mahon, J.). The statement made can be either verbal or non-verbal (meaning that a gesture with intended false meaning, is also a lie). The lier must believe that the statement is false in order for the statement to be a lie. For example, if a man tells his fThere is a great debate on whether lying is morally justifiable, and the two main arguments can be summarised into: lying is never justifiable; lying can sometimes be justifiable. Kant argues that lying is never morally allowed, without exception. However, it is difficult to live life with a rule that does not allow for exception, as there are always exceptions to every rule.
According to Kant, lying breaks the categorical imperative. This states that anything that one person does, everyone else should be allowed to do, all of the time, without exception. If there is any instance where lying can not be permitted, then lying must be considered 'always immoral,' in order to fit in with the categorical imperative (Mahon, J.). Kant repeats his message when he says, "truth is not a possession, the right to which can be granted to one person, but refused to another" (Mahon, J.). However, it is difficult to create a hard and fast rule to live life by, as there are constantly exceptions to every rule. For instance, there is a rule in driving theory in the UK, that states "one is not allowed to use a mobile phone while driving," however, the manual later states that it is acceptable to use a mobile