Is withholding information considered lying?

Singapore
June 10, 2009 5:46am CST
Do you think withholding information is lying? I mean, no "bluff" is being told. just that the truth isn't told either. Is that considered (in your point of view) lying?
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4 responses
med889
@med889 (5940)
•
10 Jun 09
This is a nice discussions and I believe withholding informations does not consider to be lies because we are not lying but we are only things which are not affecting our job of withholding informations. I read a book "Curveball" who is the secret agent. America was going to war when there is one problem, curveball was not lying but withholding informations.
1 person likes this
regal_aeros
@regal_aeros (2605)
• Singapore
10 Jun 09
hmmm.. i understand if you're talking about jobs. but what about personal relationship?
med889
@med889 (5940)
•
11 Jun 09
In a relationship it might seems a bit risky and we can withhold some informations when later our partner can getto know it from someone else so it will be the biggest mistake which we will regret. Now if on a casual conversation then I do not find it a lie because I said just the part which is not the entire truth like the partly written constitution of Britain.
srganesh
@srganesh (6339)
• India
10 Jun 09
No!if you are telling something against the truth,then it can be considered lying.We can't have loose talks about everything to be true.Sometimes we have to withhold the truths to ourselves if it is good for all.That will not be covered under lying.Cheers!
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regal_aeros
@regal_aeros (2605)
• Singapore
10 Jun 09
well.. if you say it this way.. i'd have to agree =)
Angel
@nanayangel (7877)
• Philippines
10 Jun 09
Hi there regal! I think that withholding information especially personal ones from strangers wouldn't be lying but being careful. On the other hand, if it is to someone you're committed to and promised to be honest to, I think that can be considered as lying.
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regal_aeros
@regal_aeros (2605)
• Singapore
10 Jun 09
hmmm... okie... i always thought that would be categorized as "white" lie. BUt you're actually right. In the end, it will still hurt the other party.
jesssp
@jesssp (2712)
• Canada
10 Jun 09
I don't consider it lying if the person hasn't asked for the information. If they have asked for information that you have and you still 'withhold' it then I think that can be considered lying. If someone asks what you think of someone and you happen to know that he cheated on his last girlfriend you could withhold that info without considering it lying. But if they ask you point blank if you had ever heard of him cheating then at that point withholding it would be considered lying.