paper on lying-why is it bad?

[D. Medvedev Fan]

Why is lying bad? I need some ideas before Monday. Thanks.

[jason]

At base lying is bad because it destroys the bonds of trust between people.

If people lie to one another it gets in the way of them being truly friends in the aristotillean sense of friends.

That is why lying is poison to relationships.

But it is not always bad. Consider the biblical example of Rahab lying to those seeking the Israelite spies.

So it is not always bad, but it is not something to be done lightly.

Jason

[Teallaura]

It's also poison to your reputation. Not only will people you know stop trusting you - people they know won't give you the chance either. That can affect not only interpersonal relationships but business relationships as well. Would you hire a guy with a rep for being a liar?

It affects your standing - people do not respect liars. If you have lied to them - or have that rep - you will not be respected. It makes a big difference - both in what people are saying to your face - and behind your back. Well respected people have others come to their defense - those who aren't respected only get additional mockery. it affects how well you can communicate - people listen to those they respect. People never listen to known liars.

[dizzle]

It is a form of theft in principle. It is the withholding of truth from someone who has the right to have it. Also note that defined in that way, Rahab did not sinfully lie. I do not believe that all falsehoods are sinful lies but I don't debate that here on the forum as the subject gets too intense among friends for me. If anyone wants to discuss it with me, find me on Paltalk. It is not an easy subject. I would recommend that you go to str.org and do an article search, he has some excellent articles on the subject.

[Teallaura]

It is a form of theft in principle. It is the withholding of truth from someone who has the right to have it. Also note that defined in that way, Rahab did not sinfully lie. I do not believe that all falsehoods are sinful lies but I don't debate that here on the forum as the subject gets too intense among friends for me. If anyone wants to discuss it with me, find me on Paltalk. It is not an easy subject. I would recommend that you go to str.org and do an article search, he has some excellent articles on the subject.:yt: too!

[Leonhard]

Its of course also possible to lie to oneself. That would be wrong because denying negative sides of yourself and refusing their existance could cause harm too yourself or others.

Lying or living a lie decreases the awareness of reality; If one is not aware of the real circumstances one cannot act on them; not reacting to reality can have serious censequences.

[NickyChris3]

At base lying is bad because it destroys the bonds of trust between people.

If people lie to one another it gets in the way of them being truly friends in the aristotillean sense of friends.

That is why lying is poison to relationships.

But it is not always bad. Consider the biblical example of Rahab lying to those seeking the Israelite spies.

So it is not always bad, but it is not something to be done lightly.

Jason
I slightly disagree with that. I think lying is always bad, but sometimes (rarely) as you said, it's absolutely necesary.