Is this Lying?
For whatever bizarre reason over the last few months this notion or idea or circumstance or whatever “it” is actually called has come up in my daily experiences either through film (watching movies), discussions with other people, etc. What is this “thing” you might ask (or maybe you are yawning right now thinking, ‘should I move forward with this silly nonsense?’)?
Well, I’m talking about the subject of lying. I actually define lying as the deliberate distortion of the truth. The intent to twist the truth, these things defines lying. Please feel free to let me know if you have a different definition. However, and this is the “thing” I’m talking about, if someone withholds information from another, is that lying? For example, let’s say that a husband has received news from a surgeon that his wife has terminal cancer and will definitely only live for 3 months. The husband refuses to tell the wife for fear that the pain might accelerate the illness due to mitigating health reasons, thus giveing her less time due to stress (or something). Is this lying?
Now, don’t focus on the example alone. In other words, do not focus on the details of the example to the point where you might missed the over all general gist of what I’m trying to say. Moreover, do not focus on whether you personally think it is right or wrong as to whether the husband should tell his wife or not; this is merely one example out of hundreds that could be used. I honestly do not think this is lying. By refraining from revealing information, this is not the same as actually distorting the truth (or facts, as the case may be). If someone chose not to tell someone else something, this certainly cannot constitute an act of lying (although I think I have one example where that may not be the case). Lately I have seen this issue come up in several movies we have watched or in several discussions I have had recently, so I thought I would throw it out there and see if anyone would remark on it. Of course there is so much more to unpack in this issue than what I have touched on in this simple post, but I would love to hear what others have to say about it, so feel free to comment if you are so inclined.
Well, I’m talking about the subject of lying. I actually define lying as the deliberate distortion of the truth. The intent to twist the truth, these things defines lying. Please feel free to let me know if you have a different definition. However, and this is the “thing” I’m talking about, if someone withholds information from another, is that lying? For example, let’s say that a husband has received news from a surgeon that his wife has terminal cancer and will definitely only live for 3 months. The husband refuses to tell the wife for fear that the pain might accelerate the illness due to mitigating health reasons, thus giveing her less time due to stress (or something). Is this lying?
Now, don’t focus on the example alone. In other words, do not focus on the details of the example to the point where you might missed the over all general gist of what I’m trying to say. Moreover, do not focus on whether you personally think it is right or wrong as to whether the husband should tell his wife or not; this is merely one example out of hundreds that could be used. I honestly do not think this is lying. By refraining from revealing information, this is not the same as actually distorting the truth (or facts, as the case may be). If someone chose not to tell someone else something, this certainly cannot constitute an act of lying (although I think I have one example where that may not be the case). Lately I have seen this issue come up in several movies we have watched or in several discussions I have had recently, so I thought I would throw it out there and see if anyone would remark on it. Of course there is so much more to unpack in this issue than what I have touched on in this simple post, but I would love to hear what others have to say about it, so feel free to comment if you are so inclined.
posted by T.B. Vick | 7:55 PM
3 Comments:
Jerry,
I am not sure what you are trying to say, to be perfectly honest (no pun intended). "Values as Progress"? This certainly, for me anyway, needs to unpacked a little better. First, when you use the term "values" do you mean ethics, or what we value, or on an individual level what each person beleives to be right or wrong (a type of relative ethic)?
These "values" being in "process" does that mean these "values" change? Not trying to be rude at all, but all these seems to be sophisticated rhetoric. I maybe I'm just too dense to get the meaning of what you are trying to say.
You stated, "not telling a loved one something that will be painful is an absolute lie," why is this a lie and not merely withholding information?
I wouldn't classify witholding information as lying. I would classify it as witholding information. I also think I would generally go along with your definition of lying. But...
As a culture, we seem to have forgotten about priviledged information. Too many people believe they have the right to know things that don't rightly concern them. Lying when somebody proposes to do evil with information that isn't theirs to know isn't necessarily a sin. And I don't believe it is a sin to lie when certain information is nobody's business, but somebody tries to make it theirs. Rahab, the Hebrew midwives and others are good examples of this.
In the witholding of information or lying itself, I think Christians could stand to learn a bit more. There's a reason Jesus told us to be wise as serpents, yet harmless as doves.
Hey Steve,
Thanks for the response. I agree and think you have hit the nail on the head.
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