Noble lie

The origin of the three classes, in The Republic was called the “magnificent myth”. This “noble lie” was that not only was your whole childhood built up of lies, but that mother nature put different metals in your heart which would ultimately reveal your destination. This myth was told to the people so that the rulers could preserve their utopian city, the Kallipolis. The Kallipolis’ divisions of labor were producers, auxiliaries and philosophers. “One man was to do one job, the job he was most naturally suited for.” Therefore, those born to be producers had copper/iron hearts, and these people had temperance. The silver born hearted people were the courageous auxiliaries. And lastly, the gold metal hearts were the philosophers, who were the…

Amelia Staten Professor Robert Ross POLS-2300-001 18 Sept. 2014 What is the "noble lie" and what purpose does it serve? In a political sense, the phrase “noble lie” is defined as an untruth or a myth. A noble lie is typically told by someone of power in order to keep a sense of harmony amongst a group. In The Republic, Plato coins the phrase “noble lie” in a fictional tale on which Socrates is telling of the origins of the social classes and where they came from. The noble lie, coined by…

“Noble lies” are still being told in present-day. One example of a “noble lie” that is still told presently is the concept of the American Dream. Many years ago, immigrants saw America as a place of hope and new beginnings, which caused many of them to immigrate here. They had high hopes that they would be able to make a better living for themselves as opposed to living in poverty or mediocrity in their motherland. The government and leaders constantly told these immigrants that if they worked…

system that is founded, and relies on a ‘lie’ seems at first glance a kind of breach of human right to live freely without deception. Naturally the ‘noble lie’ is indeed a form of lie, a falsity. Kantian ethics would of course dictate that one should never lie as the act of lying, whatever the intentions or outcomes, is wrong on the basis that telling the truth is a moral duty. Socrates’ defence splits lies into two categories (382a4-5, 382C3-4) – ‘verbal lies’, or lies in speech (which can be…

Plato and Machiavelli disagree about the circumstances which justify a lie. Plato believes that political leaders must lie if that is necessary to pursue justice and thereby lead the city well. Machiavelli also believes that lying is a method of establishing political order but, unlike Plato, believes that lying should be used as a method to maintain power for power’s sake – not for some greater purpose. Although in most circumstances Machiavelli and Plato disagree, occasionally, they agree. For…

What is deception? Deception is “the act of making someone believe something that is not true.” Deception is a common subject for writers, and one example of deception is in the play, Much ado about Nothing, by the greatest writer of the English Language, Sir William Shakespeare. This play is about the antagonist (Don John) tricking a noble soldier, Claudio. His friends eventually uncover Don John’s plans and he is brought to justice. Deception is divided into classes, class one; lying to…

In life, telling the truth can be difficult, especially since us, human beings are aware that we should always tell the truth—no matter what, it is morally right. On the other hand, lying is morally wrong—one faces consequences when they lie. In Miller’s The Crucible, readers learn that being honest is important; however, if telling the truth can prevent one from meeting their death—is it acceptable to lie instead? Based on my perspective, it can be argued that in life, human beings are…

Lying is justified when it can be used to protect and care for others.For example,”Anne Frank survived as long as she did because those sheltering her and her family lied to the Nazi’s.”[1] If they hadn’t lied for Anne Frank, she would have died earlier. The only reason they lived longer was because of a lie.In addition,” Not only is lying justified, it is sometimes our moral duty to lie”said Cohen. An obvious is when you’re lying to protect someone from serious harm. Lies aren't bad it is…

He simply breaks down lying into two make categories one being a judicious lie, meaning a lie that is told without causing emotional or physical harm to another, this is a lie the world needs (Twain 1). If Twain was to be alive today and saw the contemporary idea that is “fake news”, he would have no choice but to put this type of lie in the latter category, injudicious lying. This type of lie has no noble cause and does nothing but hurt another for the ill gains of the individual who fabricates…

sensitivity to the unequal parallel of false words and actions. Every lie we tell is like closing the blinds a little more until we are drowning in the darkness that we so willingly let inside. A person might be able to tell just how far they have sank by listening to the voice of guilt. Is it shouting? Or is it a faint whisper? Is it even there at all?…