What is a lie?
@DocAndersen (54399)
United States
October 23, 2018 6:29am CST
Over the years I ha defined aaa lie differently. Not that I spend all day thinking about this, just that over the years I have redefined the term.
In social situations, it is sometimes more polite to lie than to tell the truth.
In professional situations you need to tell the truth.
But recently watching the news and listening to both what is said and how it is said I wonder what part of leadership requires honesty.
I don't have an answer so I thought I would ask...
6 people like this
6 responses
@LadyDuck (502148)
• Italy
23 Oct 18
@josie_ A lie is a lie, I still remember some lies my parents told me thinking it was sweeter not to let me know. Well, some of those "nice" lies left me traumatized for months when I discovered the truth. Better to say nothing if you have to say a lie.
2 people like this
@josie_ (10033)
• Philippines
23 Oct 18
Let me play the devil's advocate. Think of a lie as a tool that can be use for "good" or "evil". It is not the lie but the motivation and purpose that is in question and need to be justified. Do we justify an action (the lie) base on certain moral hypocrisy or it's results?
3 people like this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
23 Oct 18
Interesting viewpoint - another one to think about
2 people like this
@Plethos (13718)
• United States
23 Oct 18
@DocAndersen - yes, because you are avoiding the telling of the truth.
in that scenario, say nothing.
2 people like this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
23 Oct 18
Are you attempting to mislead when you choose not to hurt someone's feelings?
1 person likes this
@VivaLaDani13 (60812)
• Perth, Australia
23 Oct 18
@DocAndersen I feel like the meaning of "lying" varies from person to person. Some do it because they like to lie, some are just a compulsive liar, some do it because it helps them better their lives, some do it because they feel the truth will hurt etc and etc. Many reasons why people do it. For me, a lie is a lie. Something that is untrue. Even if the truth hurts someone, it's still better than being lied to. This is just how I personally feel.
Yesterday I was thinking of that saying "What you don't know wont hurt you." Though true....I still prefer to be told the absolute truth than live in a fantasy world where people constantly lie to me. I've been through that with certain people and it really doesn't feel very nice once the truth all comes out. Because once a certain situation becomes to an end, I felt like an idiot that I wasted so much time thinking everything was ok.
2 people like this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
23 Oct 18
Really love this very healthy attitude and you are spot IMHO.
1 person likes this
@VivaLaDani13 (60812)
• Perth, Australia
23 Oct 18
@DocAndersen Thank you kindly. 
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
23 Oct 18
@VivaLaDani13 You are most welcome
1 person likes this
@josie_ (10033)
• Philippines
23 Oct 18
I subscribe to the author of "The Prince", Niccolo Machiavelli who advice those who would rule "That the end justifies the means".If leaders need to cheat and lie in order to provide for the welfare and security of people under them. So be it.
1 person likes this
@josie_ (10033)
• Philippines
23 Oct 18
@DocAndersen _I hope you come up with another interesting discussion on your thoughts regarding lying.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
23 Oct 18
@josie_ I am working through some thinking on this - thanks for helping me!
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
23 Oct 18
That is an interesting point of view, I will have to think about that for a bit.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
23 Oct 18
That is a hard answer - great question, great thinking not sure if I can answer the why of lying.
