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Original poster

In what situations do you think lying is the correct thing to do?

31 replies

plantsandwich · 16/06/2023 23:41

Had an interesting conversation with a friend tonight about this.
She said things like 'If your MH is bad, It's okay to pretend you can't attend something because you're busy/physically ill/similar, because it isn't their business'.

I think It's okay to lie sometimes. For example I've lied to a child about how a pet died-telling the truth would do no good aside from upset them.

What's your opinion on the subject?

OP posts:
shufflestep · 17/06/2023 08:14

And yes, lying to get yourself out of a dangerous situation!

cakeorwine · 17/06/2023 08:18

The Good Place

"Everyone hates moral philosophy professors"

Chidi struggles with a lie he's told

goodplace lying

Full Movie on Netflix

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7USVPBVHrWs

mycatsanutter · 17/06/2023 08:20

To save a child from being unnecessarily upset , yes I would lie and have done .

TheHorneSection · 17/06/2023 08:26

redskytwonight · 17/06/2023 07:43

I think there's a difference between not saying something and out and out lying.

So I've been saying "thank you for getting me a present" to my mother for years, even though they are always awful and I ask her not to bother. That's not a lie - it's just politeness. Telling her I loved the gift would be a lie.

So, in the health one, I don't understand why you wouldn't just say you couldn't come because you were having a bad day or didn't feel up to it or some such. You don't need to give precise details.

Yes, sometimes it’s better to be a bit economical with the truth. I remember teaching DD that once - if her friend turns up in a new coat that she loves, but DD doesn’t like, what is there to be gained from saying so? It would just make her friend sad, so being a bit economical with the truth is probably better.

As for the situation in the OP, I also think that’s fine.

DiscoBeat · 17/06/2023 08:32

I always tell the truth, that way you don't have to remember what you said!
BUT when my grandmother was in hospital dying and told me her cat had come to visit her there I couldn't tell her I had had him PTS because the vet found he was riddled with cancerous tumours. So I would say he was happy and well every time she asked. She smiled every time we talked about him and I just couldn't do it to her.

TallerThanAverage · 17/06/2023 08:56

cakeorwine · 17/06/2023 08:13

So you are dead and are in a place where only good people go.
You find out that your soulmate has lied to be there. She is not a good person.

However, you believe that if you lie, you aren't a good person.
Do you tell the person in charge of this good place that the person shouldn't be there even though that might affect her and you or do you keep quiet even though that you and your morals?

What's the moral thing to do?

Eh?
Why is anyone dead in this scenario?
If I was asked whether someone should be there I’d probably ask why they’re asking me the question and not the person themselves if they’re there to be asked. I don’t think I’d actively seek out the person that’s in charge to tell them that someone isn’t entitled to be there.

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