Necessity and lies | Rebecca Roache, Simon Baron-Cohen, Hilary Lawson
Dec 5, 2023
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Rebecca Roache, Simon Baron-Cohen, and Hilary Lawson discuss the ethics of lying and the value of honesty. They explore the relationship between honesty and other virtues, the role of lies in politics, and the impact of consistent lying on communication. They also delve into the concept of judgment and the importance of understanding different perspectives before labeling someone as a liar.
Honesty is seen as a primary virtue in society and politics, but there may be instances where lying is considered acceptable or even necessary.
The concept of lying varies depending on context and intention, with perception and judgment playing a crucial role in identifying lies.
Deep dives
Honesty as a virtue in society and politics
Honesty is seen as a virtue that should be strived for in society and politics. While there may be instances where lying is considered acceptable or even necessary, honesty is still valued as a primary virtue. Trust and transparency are important factors, especially for those in positions of power. Society expects politicians to be honest and breaking that trust can lead to cynicism and a lack of faith in the political system. However, there is a recognition that honesty needs to be balanced with other virtues, such as tact and respect, and judgments need to be made on a case-by-case basis. The consequences of giving up on honesty as a virtue would result in a breakdown of communication, diminished meaning, and an erosion of trust in society.
Understanding lying in different contexts
The concept of lying varies depending on the context and the intentions behind it. Autistic individuals tend to prioritize honesty and struggle with telling lies. Different situations may require different levels of deception, such as white lies to protect someone's feelings or lies for personal gain. However, intent plays a crucial role in determining whether it constitutes dishonesty. Perception and judgment are crucial in identifying lies, as individuals may interpret truth differently based on their worldview and understanding of reality.
The importance of honesty for communication and meaning
Honesty is vital for effective communication and maintaining meaningful relationships. If honesty is disregarded, communication breaks down, and meaning becomes elusive. Being able to accurately convey thoughts, beliefs, and intentions relies on the assumption that individuals are sincere in their expression. While some may argue that objective truth is challenging to attain, honesty is seen as a primary virtue that underpins trust and the exchange of meaningful ideas.
The implications of abandoning honesty in society
If society were to abandon honesty as a virtue, it would have detrimental consequences for public life and the functioning of society. Communication would become unreliable, trust would erode, and transparency would suffer. Honesty serves as the foundation for meaningful interactions, accurate decision-making, and the establishment of trust. Although there may be instances where lying seems tempting or beneficial, the long-term effects of a dishonest society would be detrimental to individual well-being and the collective functioning of communities.
Honesty is upheld as an age-old virtue of civilisation. Yet there are many instances where we deem lying desirable. Few would think it right for parents to be honest with their offspring about their favourite child, or to be honest about talents or abilities if it is likely to be hurtful for a relative, colleague or friend. Nor are we critical of Churchill for his rousing wartime speeches even if we now know he did not always believe them himself.
Should we recognise that lying can be valuable, and sometimes necessary, for ourselves and those in power? Or is honesty not only essential in public life but vital in all aspects of our everyday life as well? Alternatively, is the mistake to see honesty as a virtue and instead recognise it as an act that can be both good and ill.
Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at Royal Holloway, Rebecca Roache, Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at Cambridge University, Simon Baron-Cohen, and non-realist philosopher, Hilary Lawson join Samira Shackle to scrutinize honesty and deception.
