Pints With Aquinas BONUS: Is Lying Always Wrong? Fr Gregory Pine Vs. Dr. Janet Smith
Mar 10, 2021
Dr. Janet Smith and Fr. Gregory Pine debate the morality of lying, exploring scenarios like hiding Jews from Nazis and the complexities of undercover police work. They discuss the parallel between lying and contraception pre and post fall, and analyze instances of deception in the Bible, asserting that there are times when falsehoods are acceptable. The podcast also touches on the purpose of speech, determining the morality of acts, and the definition and context of lying.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Falsehoods Can Be Morally Permissible
- Dr. Janet Smith argues some falsehoods are morally permissible, particularly when told to those who don't have a right to the truth.
- She points to practical cases like Nazis at the door and claims Aquinas has a pre-lapsarian view unsuitable for the fallen world.
Common Everyday Falsehoods
- In daily life, people often say small falsehoods, like not admitting to being busy or comforting dementia patients with gentle untruths.
- These small deceptions are accepted as kindness and do not destroy trust.
Moral Complexity of Lies in Context
- Intention and context are crucial: lies told to deceive unjust aggressors differ from lies told to harm innocents.
- Prudence and trust in divine providence guide moral decisions amid complex modern circumstances.