1. Michael Lacewing enquiries@alevelphilosophy.co.uk
Deception and lies
Michael Lacewing

2. Utilitarianism
Simple act utilitarianism: if telling a lie creates more happiness than telling the truth (or keeping silent), then telling a lie is morally right
Mill: wider consequences
Being truthful is of great benefit, and society, civilization and virtue only works on the assumption of truthfulness
Hence weakening our own truthfulness or another’s trust is very serious
Therefore, lying for convenience is wrong

3. Utilitarianism
Mill: Lying can be permissible, e.g. when it is the only way to withhold information from someone who intends harm
Rule utilitarianism: ‘never lie’ will not maximize happiness
But it is hard to formalize the best rule

4. Kant Lying violates the Categorical Imperative:
Deceiving another requires that they believe us, which requires that deceiving is not universal
Kant argues that lying is always wrong
The axe murderer
But one’s maxim might be more specific, and so pass the Categorical Imperative, e.g. ‘lie to save a life’
But could we still deceive the axe murderer?

5. Kant If we lie, we are responsible for the consequences of our lie
But aren’t we equally responsible for the consequences of doing our duty?
Lying violates the formula of humanity
The deceived person can’t freely choose whether to adopt our end
Kant seems to allow that lying is a ‘weapon of defence’ against someone who intends harm

6. Aristotle
‘falsehood is in itself mean and culpable, and truth noble and worthy of praise’
Does this imply that lying has no mean, it is already a vice?
Alternatively, truth is a final end – but that doesn’t mean that we should always pursue it (cp. Pleasure)

7. Aristotle
Aristotle mainly discusses boastfulness – lying about oneself
This is ‘futile rather than bad’
It can be done for better or worse motives (e.g. to gain reputation vs. gain money)
This indicates that lying is never virtuous
But if there are few rules in ethics, it is unlikely that lying is always wrong
If we lie, we must do so at the right time, with the right motive, about the right truths, and in the right way