The answer to that age old question is yes, it is.
Ok, certain exceptions to this rule do exist, I mean lying to kids about a fat guy at Christmas doesn’t really cause any long term damage, so that’s pretty acceptable, and the lies which people tell because they greatly benefit somebody else are obviously a win as well (I’m thinking along the grim lines of WW2 when people hiding Jews lied about it, you know how it goes).
But drastic exceptions aside, lying is bad. That’s what we’re taught, and in my opinion is probably one of the best lessons we ever learn.
The way I see it, people commonly lie for two reasons. To cover up something they did, because the truth would cause punishment or embarrassment, in which case just strap on a pair and take the hit. Or to avoid somebody’s feelings getting hurt, but the chances are they are going to be told the truth eventually, and perhaps in a much more abrupt way, so initial honesty is actually far more kind.
Obviously there are other reasons for lying, but the general lies people tell on a day to day basis seem to fall into one of these two categories, and I really don’t think that they’re necessary.
We should all practice a little more honesty; lying really is one of the ugliest things out there.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/lying/lying_1.shtml
Ok, certain exceptions to this rule do exist, I mean lying to kids about a fat guy at Christmas doesn’t really cause any long term damage, so that’s pretty acceptable, and the lies which people tell because they greatly benefit somebody else are obviously a win as well (I’m thinking along the grim lines of WW2 when people hiding Jews lied about it, you know how it goes).
But drastic exceptions aside, lying is bad. That’s what we’re taught, and in my opinion is probably one of the best lessons we ever learn.
The way I see it, people commonly lie for two reasons. To cover up something they did, because the truth would cause punishment or embarrassment, in which case just strap on a pair and take the hit. Or to avoid somebody’s feelings getting hurt, but the chances are they are going to be told the truth eventually, and perhaps in a much more abrupt way, so initial honesty is actually far more kind.
Obviously there are other reasons for lying, but the general lies people tell on a day to day basis seem to fall into one of these two categories, and I really don’t think that they’re necessary.
We should all practice a little more honesty; lying really is one of the ugliest things out there.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/lying/lying_1.shtml
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