Lately I have been thinking about Plato’s Republic (Republic Book IV 414b-415d- Link/Source below) Most specifically, I have been thinking about The Myth of Metals (Link/Source below) that Plato invokes to perpetuate a desired aim and goal. He orchestrates this myth in a way to manipulate a particular organization of citizens to maximize loyalty and solidify cohesion of the ideal State. It all sounds pretty sorted, don’t you think? As scandalous as it may sound to some, none-the-less it got me thinking about lying in a more general sense. Is it okay to lie if it is under the guise that it will produce some good or desirable results? When is it permissible to lie and what actually constitutes a lie?
I started doing some research into lying in terms of moral obligations as a means to get things more clear in my own mind. I’ve provided some guidelines to ensure a common definition of lying, additionally this helps to inform the reader what I mean and what I am pointing to within this blog. Let us lay some groundwork about what constitutes a lie (Link/Source below).
A lie has three essential features:
· A lie communicates some information
· The liar intends to deceive or mislead
· The liar believes that what they are 'saying' is not true
There are some features that people think are part of lying but aren't actually necessary:
· A lie does not have to give false information
· A lies does not have to be told with a bad (malicious) intention - white lies are an example of lies told with a good intention
So, given all this information, when is it okay, or is it okay to lie? I have been thinking about this over the last few weeks a lot. I understand that sometimes the truth hurts but does telling a small white lie or lying by omission ever justify the means? Does the lie once discovered make the hurt exponentially worse? Here are my thoughts on the issue. I think we should strive to be as truthful as possible because it seems when a lie is exposed (whether it has good intentions or bad) it results in a feeling of betrayal. Thus telling a white lie assumes two problematic premises: 1. the lie will not be exposed 2. once exposed the white lie won’t actually do more damage than initially telling the truth. In human terms do we owe people the truth at all times?
I think the point that gives me the biggest moral dilemma is this; are we robbing a person of their freedom and free will when we do lie to them because they may subsequently make decisions based on false or not completely accurate information? Do we as Kant said (link/source below) never lie because to do so violates a person’s intrinsic value and treats the person as a means for the liar to achieve their goal or aim?? Finally, what kind of world do we encourage when we believe lying is permissible? In this world (maybe we already live in this world?? Current media does very little to discourage this idea.) where lying is morally permissible can we ever trust anyone and what kind of world would it be if there was not at least a presumption of trust and truth? I am curious to read other’s thoughts on this matter. Thanks for taking the time to read and provide your thoughts.
Links to Sources:
http://www.iep.utm.edu/republic/
https://outre-monde.com/2010/10/22/platonic-myths-the-myth-of-the-metals/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/lying/lying_1.shtml