Philosophically speaking... Is it ok to lie?

Nothing in life is so cut and dry. I read your question earlier in R&S and in my opinion Paladin gave you the best answer:

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=As...

but you look like you chose one that fits in with your rather "narrow" appearing point of view - could not that be a form of lie? Is that not an ego-boost of sorts?

You have an ego, therefore you lie to yourself everyday. Kill your ego if you don't want to lie. Ah wait - that is impossible or you would be dead yourself or a zombie and no such thing except in the movies.

Don't be so naive. You would lie to defend a loved one in dire circumstances - would'nt you?. That would be a righteous lie. If not then you would be a traitor!!

I wouldn't want to be your friend or husband if you would not lie to protect my honour or life given the circumstances that would call for it. Smells of treachery. A lie does not make the one saying it a liar! So someone saying a "lie" to protect a loved ones life if an enemy was at hand is a liar in your books!!! God help us all if we all have that somwhat warped viewpoint.

Truth is pretty much subjective anyway. Though of course there is universal divine truth. But God would not want us to be traitors to our loved ones now would he. Treachery is a bigger lie because you promise through your love to cherish your loved ones - and to protect them. And this is in the marriage vows.

You might be young so maybe you still have a lot to learn in life. Or perhaps not - as your very last statment looks like you are saying you have lied much knowingly now at least, if one was to read between the lines. Then ask God for forgiveness and learn some integrity to know the difference between lies that hurt all including yourself and "white" lies that are not lies at all if they are to protect someone and your intention was admirable.

While it is in the nature of evil to be secret, the prohibition against uttering falsehoods is not absolute. Most respondents have confused two similar things on this question. There is a distinction between some thing's being moral and its being morally permissible. A lie always runs afoul of the moral principle to speak the truth. As such no lie is moral. However, there are circumstances in which other moral duties outweigh the duty to be honest. The common example of this is hiding a Jewish family from the Nazis. When the SS knocks on your door and asks if you're hiding anyone, you are morally permitted to lie because your duty to preserve life and uphold justice take precedence in this situation. The lie itself is immoral, but is morally permissible. So you should be clear on what you mean by 'ok'. If you mean "Is it ever moral to lie" then the answer is no. If you mean "Is it ever morally permissible to lie" then the answer is yes.

Sure. If the person you are lying to has no right to expect the truth. A trivial example would be bluffing in poker. Everybody knows it's part of the game. A non-trivial example would be lying to protect a life-- the "Jews in the basement" scenario. This is far from a cart blanch to lie. Virtually everybody you encounter in day to day life has a right to the truth. You are, after all, members of the same community. But there are exceptions. I'm sure you are aware, as a student of philosophy, of the critical role context plays in every moral action.

peace

God gave us 'teeth' but we aren't supposed to bite or eat people, our conscience informs us of this. We have ingrained consciences. Sometimes our consciences take us 'too far' into wanting to do what is "right". That's not a fault, but it is sometimes counterproductive to survival. Use common sense....our intellects gave us the ability to lie in SELF DEFENSE or in defense of others. Yes, human dignity demands respect....and so in our relationships with loving people we OWE them the truth. In Love we offer Truth because we respect the other person more than we respect our selfish tendencies. Motives are EVERYTHING. When tempted to lie...ask yourself what is my motive? Is it purely selfish, mostly selfish, or grounded in love. It is not our job to protect others from the truth....sharing the truth usually leads toward growth and better UNDERSTANDING. But on basic levels of survival sometimes honesty is not required. Ethical stars are ideals.....the ideal is an honest world....but since the world is a world of polarities, balance requires a working arrangement of common sense grounded in Divine Love. If Love is the MOTIVE failure is unlikely. This includes the domain of 'telling lies'. Sola

Depending on the situation stretching the truth is ok...if the motive behind is good, not to hurt anyone or to save a life.

I had given this example once before and would like to repeat here again...

During 1984 anti-sikh riots in India (after Ex-PM Mrs. Indira Gandhi's assassination by a Sikh), many innocent lives were lost. Sikhs were killed, their homes targetted at many places including the Capital city, New Delhi by blood-thirsty rioting Hindus.

Even then there were many Hindus who stood by them and sheltered them in their homes. When rioters came seeking those, they were LIED to!

In life there are no clear-cut answers. No absolutes.

And you'll not find a single soul who is one hundred percent truth-speaking...

"Oh the tangled webs we weave

When at first we try to deceive."

Truth is the only way. If you ever want to be happy, stable, respected and trustworthy, you must be honest.

Faith is built on trust.

Relationships must have a solid foundation of trust and honesty.

Who are you - if you have no integrity or no virtues, no character of worth?

When you lose ones trust, it takes so long to get it back. You never really ever gain it back, not totally. There is always that shadow of a doubt. It stays with you like a bad omen.

Honesty is "always" the best policy! :D

I would think it depends on the baker and why that cake is made. I don't think my cakes are lies. They are mixed, baked, decorated and delivered with love, fun, care and happiness. Each is individual to fit the person who is getting a cake. The receiver realizes the value of the cake and is happy to get it. They taste good too! My cakes don't lie! :) Even philosophically speaking.. the metaphor fits. :)

Yes, not all you say is true brings any good to you or to your love ones sometimes this causes problems arguements and sometimes destruction among people. But still lying is we all know bad, but there are lies that are good.Everything in the world is balance since not all lies are good nor bad. Its just being determined by situational occurances still its not being tolerated by most people.

What makes something ok? You can do whatever you want. I lie, but not about important things only because i don't like being lied to.

There r times when u absolutely have to lie, to save hurt feelings, to get yourself out of awkward situations, lying is a necessary evil and anyone who says they have never lied, is a liar and yes its ok....The truth is you have to lie