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Baraka_Guru · 06-21-2007, 03:51 AM

Morally speaking, it is preferable to tell the truth as much as possible. However, if what you would say would cause undue suffering, lying could be a good thing, too. For example, if, during WWII, the SS came to your door and asked if you were rooming any Jews, would you tell them about the Jews you had hidden in the attic? In this case, it would be morally wrong to tell the truth.

It isn't about whether you tell the truth that determines your being good or evil, it is the outcome of the effect of your words. So, in the case of the OP, the lie about the reason for being in town would be relatively harmless. But the problem with it is that there would be no moral reason to tell the lie, making it insincere and therefore questionable. Not evil, but not necessarily good either. What if the stranger had an interest in meeting the new neighbours? Would you continue to lie? How do you think he or she would feel if your lie was discovered?

06-21-2007, 03:51 AM	#4 (permalink)
Baraka_Guru warrior bodhisattva Super Moderator Location: East-central Canada	Morally speaking, it is preferable to tell the truth as much as possible. However, if what you would say would cause undue suffering, lying could be a good thing, too. For example, if, during WWII, the SS came to your door and asked if you were rooming any Jews, would you tell them about the Jews you had hidden in the attic? In this case, it would be morally wrong to tell the truth. It isn't about whether you tell the truth that determines your being good or evil, it is the outcome of the effect of your words. So, in the case of the OP, the lie about the reason for being in town would be relatively harmless. But the problem with it is that there would be no moral reason to tell the lie, making it insincere and therefore questionable. Not evil, but not necessarily good either. What if the stranger had an interest in meeting the new neighbours? Would you continue to lie? How do you think he or she would feel if your lie was discovered? __________________ Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing? —Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön Humankind cannot bear very much reality. —From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot Last edited by Baraka_Guru; 06-21-2007 at 03:53 AM..