Kant On Lying

Decent Essays
Immanuel Kant defines lies as an ¨intentional untruthful declaration to another person¨ and that it is always unjustified, no matter what the situation is. The problem with this statement is, occasionally lying must be done in order to protect someone. It is for the following that I believe that lying is almost never acceptable. Opponents may say that it is acceptable to lie whenever because they have free will and can do as they desire. Except, most reasons behind people's lies are to benefit themselves. These lies, as Immanuel Kant and Brad Blandon says, destroys human dignity and makes your life more stressful than it has to be. (Rejecting all lies) and (Honestly, Tell the Truth) I believe that lying is only justified when the motive behind

Related Documents

  • Superior Essays

    In relation to lying, Kant is concerned that the action cannot be universalized. Kant believes actions should be universal because those actions are assisting in the function of society. An immoral action does not help the action function well. In the case of lying, the trust necessary to form a society is eroded and the society cannot function. Thus, lying is an action that cannot be morally permissible.…

    • 1751 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    He said that “lying under any circumstances is the obliteration of one’s dignity as a human being” (Rachels 131). In defense of his position, Kant offers two arguments for an absolute rule against lying. He relies on the categorical imperative theory. He claims that we could not will a universal law that permits lying, because such a law would be self-defeating and everyone would lie to each other and as a result, they would lack trust on each other. Therefore, he concludes that lying cannot be permitted.…

    • 1196 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    If you ask most people do you think lying is acceptable, majority of them will not hesitate and tell you yes, and then give you multiple reasons on why lying is a bad thing. But if you actually sit down and think, everyone lies several times a day sometimes without even knowing it because the lie was so small and meaningless. But in other occasions people lie to protect things they care for and about they are also willing to accept the consequences behind their lies and actions. Some may even feel that lying at that point of time it was acceptable due to the situation they are put in. In the short story “Someone Ought to Tell Her…

    • 1473 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    There are numerous types of lies and a plethora of reasons for why someone would tell a lie. Some people lie to spare the feelings of others, some people lie to cover something up that they have done, and some people lie mainly to hurt others for the fun of it.…

    • 1018 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Why Is It Ok To Lie

    • 491 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Is it ok to lie in any situation, or is it just wrong to lie at all ? In four articles that I read, it states a couple of things, for example, they talk about lying and if it's bad, is lying sometimes good, and is lying good. I believe lying is only good sometimes and it should only be used in white lies. I think a good time to lie is when you protect someone. One scenario of this is the story of Ann Frank.this is a good example because they were protecting Ann and her family by saying that there was nothing upstairs.…

    • 491 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The Sandlot Analysis

    • 573 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Have you ever had to lie to keep your friend out of trouble? Have you lied to keep yourself out of trouble? Lying can be a bad way to get out of situations if not used with caution. Most people have lied before so as to not get into trouble. I have lied a few times myself.…

    • 573 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Why Is Lying Acceptable

    • 611 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Is Lying Acceptable? You know your friend cheated on the state test, and you know if they fail the test her or his dad will beat them, what do you do? Simple you lie, lying can save people from dangerous situations or harm such as that one. Everyone lies, from kids to adults…

    • 611 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    People lie as a defense mechanism so that they will not get hurt by others. More often than not, people will go to extreme lengths to protect themselves, even if it means damaging their family through…

    • 1133 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In “The Ways We Lie” by Stephanie Ericsson she discusses and breaks down the activity of lying into different kinds of lies. Ericsson goes into great detail of about 10 of them, but there are many more. Some lies are for your peace of mind and maybe still bad for both parties, and some are for the better of someone else’s feelings. Ericsson believes that even if you feel you are perfect, nobody is and still tell lies no matter big or small, we do it and at times are unaware that it is considered a lie. Individuals nowadays get to a point where they are lying and don’t know whether to believe themselves or others.…

    • 856 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Should we lie because most Americans think it's always okay to lie all the time others think it's never okay to lie. Americans are very conflicted on whether we should or shouldn’t lie. I my opinion lying is only acceptable under certain circumstances, such as sparing others feelings. Some may feel that lying is never acceptable because it is morally wrong, however, I believe lying is acceptable when it can be used to protect and care for others. Randy cohen gave an example when he said “ if your wife is going out and she asks if she looks bad you say no it would be rude not to, because if you are already out of the house she will feel self conscious.…

    • 252 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    We should never lie. Kant is a philosopher who thought there are absolute moral rules in the world. He thought that never lying is one of the absolute moral rules, and he offered arguments for it: 1. You should only do things that you are willing to adopted to be universalized. 2.…

    • 846 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    There are two philosophers that worked theories trying to states whether or not lying is morally right. They are Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill. They both have addresses the issue of morality differently. However, after seeing both theories, it is clear that, the John Stuart Mill have a more realistic way to see to determine the morality of false promise/lies.…

    • 1259 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Utilitarianism In Lying

    • 1213 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The action can be determined by the person’s motive. If the person acts of good will and from duty, their motives were good is their intentions. According to Kant, lying does not accord with the duty and therefore would not be morally worthy. That the person’s motive is to simply follow their duty and not indulge in themselves. Kant believed lying was always wrong.…

    • 1213 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Why Do People Lie Essay

    • 1453 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Lies are wrong even if they are created with the intention of being nice (Anonymous). People lie because they need approval and acceptance from their peers and to cover up their own insecurities; the truth will not always make a person…

    • 1453 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Reasons Why People Lie

    • 976 Words
    • 4 Pages

    People lie for many reasons in this world, because of the way their brain was trained and the psychological part of it, and depending on the person it could be for the better or worse. Our environment is where we pick everything up from so that contributes to how often a person lies and their reasons. Lies can become very complicated depending on the situation, there are different lies. People also lie because of the good of their heart whether they know if it’s bad or not because sometimes people don’t have a definition of the difference of the two. They want to avoid or fix something in the wrong way but the intentions are good because sometimes there is no right way.…

    • 976 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays