Is lying actually okay? The answer to that question is yes since lying can be used to protect others. Some may say no and say that all lies are bad, but that is not the case. After all, lying can always be acceptable when used to not harm an individual or crowd physically or emotionally. First off, when a person lies, it should be to keep someone from physical harm. For example, Harold Smith lied to his adult daughter about his kidney tumor so he would not get her traumatized (para 13). This shows how Smith did not want to stress and harm his daughter. This also shows how lying can prevent physical harm. All together, a lie should be for a good reason such as to keep a person’s life safe and free from harm. Second, people should also lie to spare someone’s feelings,“... Teresa Velin, a mother… says it was just too darn hot and she didn’t feel up to getting dressed and leaving home for a recent movie date. So she told a friend she was busy” (para 6). This shows how Velin did not want to ruin a friendship just because the weather was not pleasant. This also shows how lying can also prevent emotional damage. Lying can be useful in many situations especially in situations where one does not want to appear unfriendly …show more content…
“... we can’t always pick honesty without compromising some other value that night be as important” (para 18). This shows that when one tells the truth in certain situations, one might be revealing another important value. This also shows how lying can be a useful tool and should be acceptable. Without question, people should lie to protect others. By lying one can save a life, keep a friendship, be kind to others and more. If people do not, others can get hurt physically or emotionally. So why are some still thinking that lying is not
I agree with the fact that lying is NOT okay. BUT, its also okay in certain situations. Most adults lie to their children about multiple things such as: believing there is a Santa, Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, etc. Some adults Some children think what they are being told is true
Lying can save you in severe situations such as life or death. Elie lied about his age and said he was eighteen instead of fifteen. “‘Your age?’ he asked, perhaps trying to sound paternal. ‘I'm eighteen.’ My voice was trembling.” (Wiesel 31). Not telling exact information to strangers about yourself can prevent bad things from happening. He told the doctor he was sick so he didn’t have to get his crown taken. His crown could buy him an extra ration of bread and soup, so he decided it’d be smart to keep it. He said he was a farmer because it could save him from being killed immediately. Lying is one of many ways that can help people survive in certain situations.
Lying can be described as the act of telling an untruth, but just when is it ok to lie? In the articles, “It’s the Truth: Americans Conflicted About Lying,” from Life on NBCNEWS.com, and “Brad Blanton: Honestly, Tell the Truth,” by Barbara Ballinger, it provides evidence that leads me to believe that lying is acceptable when you do it to protect a relationship or someone from a life or death situation.
In Stephanie Ericsson’s essay, “The Ways We Lie”, she discusses the different circumstances in which people lie and describes the types of lies that are commonly used. The author argues that some lies aren’t very severe, and often times are necessary, whereas others can prove to be harmful in the long run and can exact harsh consequences. ( 315 ) Ericsson uses examples in which these lies are presented such as with business acquaintances, politicians or friends and even a priest who breaks ethical code. Ericsson poses the question that if she decided not to lie, if she would be less tolerant of lies told to her. (322) So why do we lie and allow people to lie to us? Does society encourage us to lie or is it
Lying is something you have done, I have done, and everyone to ever live has done. Each and every person that denied that statement, at this moment lied. Situations people lie in is an ultimately different matter in hand. The accustomed, influenced character of a person believes you should tell the truth, endlessly. Nevertheless, justified lies can go to the extent only when you are protecting someone's life or feelings.
Honesty and deception both play valuable roles in all parts of personal lives and society. Richard Gunderman stated, “To tell the truth is to live authentically and responsibly, to really live.” Living honestly is a way to have less stress to your life, proven by Richard Gunderman in “Is lying bad for us?” However, dishonesty seems to at an all time high with the growth of communication as stated in “On Bullshit” by Harry Frankfurt. In addition, lying can provide incredible short-term benefits discussed by Stephanie Ericsson in “The Ways We Lie.” Gunderman’s claim on authenticity is valid because most cultures see honesty and trust as two of the more lauded values. Telling the truth relieves stress and adds trust. Yet, there is a seemingly
Lying is often a necessary part of life. Randy Cohen, a moral philosopher says “Not only is lying justified, it is sometimes a moral duty.” This shows that although some people don’t agree with lying it is still a vital part of our day to day lives. Lying can be the difference between a happy relationship or a ruined one. Article 1 states that Teresa Velin says that she didn’t want her friendship to be broken over a movie date, so she said that she was busy. If she had told the truth, she would risk losing a friend.
Lies, they're everywhere, are they worth the trouble? Throughout these three articles, “It’s the truth”, “Honestly tell the truth”, and “Rejecting all lies”, the authors precisely analyze who agrees, and who doesn’t agree with lying, and why. Lying may be the first thing to come to mind when in a bad situation, but does anyone realize how much damage it can cause towards the other person or to the liar themselves?
Furthermore, it is justified to lie in order to prevent hurting someone. Most people are familiar with the white lies we tell to avoid an argument or just to make others feel better. These lies can be found in the article “It’s the Truth: Americans Conflicted About Lying”, published by NBCNews.com. Within this article, people are asked about their opinions on when it is okay to lie. It states, “In the AP-Ipsos poll, 65 percent
Lying today is quite a disregarded subject, causing its reputation enough to make people uneasy. Most are taught at a young age that lying is substandard, lousy, or even cheap, and that you should never use it to your benefit. Of course we don’t want to be a lousy person, but what about lying makes it so? Why is it considered so immoral and frowned upon by many social norms? Luckily for us there are two very appealing essays that help us crack these baffling questions. In these essays, they define the meaning of a lie, why we always seem to use them, and if they are actually bad for us. In Stephanie Ericsson’s The Ways We Lie it talks about the different types of lies, how and why we use them and what consequences can be followed by each lie. Also, adding clarity is Richard Gunderman’s article Is Lying Bad for Us that talks about how people lie to cope with things, but also expresses how lying might be bad for our physical or mental health.
Basically, lying is not a good thing to do, but it do not always need to be like that. Judging on something that right or wrong should base on that it is benefit anybody or bother anyone or not. Some people know as “White lie” and “Black lie”. We can state that lying would be the right thing, in case that it benefits to somebody and not bothers others at all. But if not, it can be consider as it is wrong.
Many may question whether Lying is a good or bad thing. While many believe that lying is used to protect someone, you might be actually do more harm than good. Everybody can lie but it can have a variety of outcomes. Allowing yourself to lie doesn't help anybody. Lying is unjustified because it would cause harm to someone than good and telling the truth can be beneficial and easier.
Did you know everyone has lied once in their life many people feel lying is a a bad thing to do. Lying is okay sometimes like lies to protect others,lies to get out of a situations,and lies to protect yourself.
Lying is only okay sometimes. Sometimes telling a small lie is better than hurting someone. However, if lying becomes a habit, the people around you might start to mistrust you. You should think about the consequences before lying, the outcome will be different if the truth is told. This is why lying is only okay sometimes.
Finally, we lie because we do not want to get hurt. An example is we protect our own feelings. They say that honesty is the best policy but this does not work all the time, we lie because the truth hurts. Another example is we protect our pride. Most of us do not want to tell the truth because we do not want to admit that we are wrong.