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Dylan, There certainly are exceptions. Great examples! Your comments
are very inspiring and insightful. Thank you.
posted by
Amanda__
on March 3, 2005 at 8:55 AM
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Darkke, Very valid point. Thanks.
posted by
Amanda__
on March 3, 2005 at 8:52 AM
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There is a time and place for honesty. I think if you want to have a relationship with someone (family, friend, or anything else) that honesty is important. But when it comes to total strangers - you don't owe them anything. If someone asks me how I am, for example, I would say "fine" to a stranger, but tell a close friend what's happening in my life and how I feel about it. The difference to me is the amount of time and effort I think is worth investing in that particular individual, or what I think they are likely to do with the information. (So if you ask me my password...I'll lie if I think it will get rid of you faster than telling you where to go.)
posted by
DarrkeThoughts
on March 2, 2005 at 12:26 PM
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MandaLee,
remember Kant's dilemma, though. Kant and a fellow philosopher were debating Kant's assertion that one should always tell the truth. His friend posed this dilemma: what if you were hiding an innocent person from someone who was trying to kill him, and the killer came to your door and asked if you knew where he was?
This example is overused, but remember also those Germans and others who hid Jews and other persecuted groups from the Nazis. When the Nazis came to their door, asking if they were hiding anyone, were they obligated to tell the truth? I think not.
I don't disagree that honestly is generally the best policy, but I think there are exceptions; that's all I'm saying.
posted by
Dyl_Pickle
on March 2, 2005 at 9:10 AM
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