Is it moral to lie to the populace for their own good?

Is it morally right to lie?

Utilitarians base their reasoning on the claim that actions, including lying, are morally acceptable when the resulting consequences maximize benefit or minimize harm. A lie, therefore, is not always immoral; in fact, when lying is necessary to maximize benefit or minimize harm, it may be immoral not to lie.

What is a moral lie?

they are not intended to harm anyone else. they don’t actually harm anyone (or only do trivial harm) the lie is about something morally trivial. they aren’t told so often that they devalue what you say.

Is lying an ethical issue?

In general, lying is considered to be immoral. The philosopher Immanuel Kant once claimed that lying was always immoral because it is manipulative and disrespects the natural rights of others to make their own decisions.

Is it justified to lie?

Each of these very serious lies are authorized by a group, organization, or government. The liar and the authorizing agent believe lying is justified, necessary to do the job, although the employer may not always respect the liar for doing so. Typically the liar does not feel guilty about telling an authorized lie.

Can lying be good?

In some cases, lying’s benefits actually far outweigh those you’d get from telling the truth. In fact, lying is more than just a means of getting out of awkward situations or making ourselves important: research suggests learning to lie is actually an important developmental milestone.

Why is it OK to lie?

Overall, white lies are for beneficial purposes. Being totally honest in some cases would create unpleasantness or be offensive. Some view white lies as a sign of civility. Real lies tend to be more self-serving.

Is it okay to lie to protect yourself?

Lying is OK in two general situations, to protect yourself or someone else from immediate danger — e.g., your friend’s abusive spouse asks if you know where your friend is — and to protect someone’s feelings.

Is it OK to lie to protect someone?

Lying to friends and family members may seem like a quick way to lose their trust, but new research suggests this may not always be the case. Lying for the right reasons, researchers found, can actually strengthen some social bonds.

What is the saying about lying?

If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.” “I’m not upset that you lied to me, I’m upset that from now on I can’t believe you.” “The reason I talk to myself is because I’m the only one whose answers I accept.”

What does the Bible say about liars?

Passages in the Bible deal with God’s concern about lying as found in Proverbs 12:22 — “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy” — and in Proverbs 25:1: “Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow …

What do you call a person who lies?

The Meaning of the Word Liar

The verb in question is lie, meaning “to say something that’s not true.” So, a liar is a person who lies—a person who says something they know is not true.