Stephanie Ericsson The Ways We Lie Summary
When a person tells a lie, they steal someone else’s right to the truth. Stephanie Ericsson in “The Ways We Lie” explains ten specific lies that she believes are prevalent in today’s society. The reading begins by the “The White Lie” being the most harmless lie. Then she describes “Out-and-Out Lies” being the worst lie because it ignores the truth to escape responsibility. Ericsson attempted to go an entire week without telling a lie to analyze how conversation would be if it were all honest. Surprisingly, she believes it is nearly impossible. From personal experiences “The White Lie” is seen as the least harmful and almost a natural part of everyday conversation, then ranging to the most harmful being “Delusions” which is seen as lying
to oneself.
Telling a white lie depends on the person delivering the lie for whether or not the lie is serious. A white lie is typically a misleading opinion. Sometimes that misleading opinion could lift a burden of unhappiness that person may have had all day long. Ericsson believes telling the truth could inflict more damage than a simple, harmless untruth. It is seen as so harmless that it is used in everyday conversation to deliver a more content message across. The intensity of a white lie being harmful depends on the all the circumstances. As thoughtful as it sounds it is still deceiving someone.
Lying to oneself or being delusional would only stop a person from achieving something greater than what they already have. What would the point of that be? Deceiving oneself to the point where the lie is not a lie anymore but an impression of reality is ridiculous. Being mildly delusional is an act of instinct people use every day. If one was able to comprehend all the dangers and problems that may arise in a single day, he or she might have a hard time concentrating on certain tasks. Living day to day would be almost impossible to get through without lying, to a point paralyzing Ericsson explains. Certain lies create the sense of balance the world lives in today. Any lie to an extreme would be inherently wrong and disastrous to the individual being lied to. Ericsson put very blatantly the fact that “When someone lies, someone loses.” To judge the lie being told would depend on the situation leading up to the reason of lying in the first place. Not every situation is that simple. In all fashion lying may deliver drama to one’s boring life.
to oneself.
Telling a white lie depends on the person delivering the lie for whether or not the lie is serious. A white lie is typically a misleading opinion. Sometimes that misleading opinion could lift a burden of unhappiness that person may have had all day long. Ericsson believes telling the truth could inflict more damage than a simple, harmless untruth. It is seen as so harmless that it is used in everyday conversation to deliver a more content message across. The intensity of a white lie being harmful depends on the all the circumstances. As thoughtful as it sounds it is still deceiving someone.
Lying to oneself or being delusional would only stop a person from achieving something greater than what they already have. What would the point of that be? Deceiving oneself to the point where the lie is not a lie anymore but an impression of reality is ridiculous. Being mildly delusional is an act of instinct people use every day. If one was able to comprehend all the dangers and problems that may arise in a single day, he or she might have a hard time concentrating on certain tasks. Living day to day would be almost impossible to get through without lying, to a point paralyzing Ericsson explains. Certain lies create the sense of balance the world lives in today. Any lie to an extreme would be inherently wrong and disastrous to the individual being lied to. Ericsson put very blatantly the fact that “When someone lies, someone loses.” To judge the lie being told would depend on the situation leading up to the reason of lying in the first place. Not every situation is that simple. In all fashion lying may deliver drama to one’s boring life.