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De gustibus non disputandum est. About matters of taste, there is no point in arguing...
De veritate disputandum est. About matters of truth, dispute is fruitful... At one extreme, clearly belonging to the sphere of truth, is mathematics and, associated with it, the exact sciences, especially the experimental sciences. Placing these disciplines in the sphere of truth does not mean that at any time there is perfect agreement among all mathematicians or experimental scientists about everything in their fields. But it does mean that, when they do disagree, we expect them to be able to resolve their disagreements by recourse to rational processes employing the methods and techniques of their disciplines.
The complete realization of the ideal that is the goal - the whole truth and nothing but the truth - will never be achieved in any stretch of time... we should never abandon our effort to reach the agreement we ought to seek in all matters that fall within the sphere of truth rather than the sphere of taste.
Originally posted by kinda kurious
Yet there are many times when lying is a better option. In “war” for example. Fool the enemy, win the war. Camouflage for example. The art of mis-direction. The classical diversion. As long as you "win the war" it doesn't matter of how how you did it.
How about the chameleon who changes its coloring to blend in? How about having a “poker-face” or “playing dead” or numerous other times when lying actually equates to “self-preservation?”
What if you are “mentally-impaired” and don’t even realize that you are lying? My father is in early dementia and says things that are utter nonsense as if they were truth. Is he lying, no, just confused.
OK, lets say I am on trial in some world court and I make the statement, “The US is the best country in the entire world.” Let’s pretend that to me, with all of my life’s experiences, I believe this statement to be true.
What if we take it a step further and suppose that I am on trial for murder. What if I did actually commit the crime at the age of 30, but concocted a grandiose scheme of lies and evaded “justice”. I got away with murder and the death sentence. I go on to live my life to my 70’s and die of a stroke. That is it. No heaven, no hell, quit breathing, go to sleep and never wake up again, end of story. Lying afforded me a rich and full life.
And then, there is the little “white lie.” Perhaps it is sometimes OK to tell a little “fib” every now and then.
Or say you are on the battlefield and a comrade has both legs blown off below the knees. The medic hits him with morphine when he asks, “Is it bad, am I going to die?” and you respond, “No, it is just a scratch, you are going to be fine.” This all seems like acceptable lies to me.
OK, and let’s just say you are at the grocery store and only have enough money for groceries or a cab ride home and it is pouring down rain. The cashier mistakenly gives you an extra $10 bucks back by mistake. Just enough for a cab ride home. Do you point out her mistake or take the $10 and get a dry ride home with groceries?