Lying, although a commonplace aspect of life, often has negative perceptions. These perceptions stem from the assumed immortality or amorality of the liar, as lying is the conscious deception or distortion of reality in an attempt to portray something as other than what it truly is. However, what may at first appear to be a lapse in proper morals can instead be justified as a more careful consideration of them from the liars perspective, as there are situations where telling an untruth is more considerate than the alternative. Stephanie Ericsson further emphasizes this point when she explains every lie she told throughout a particular day, all the while justifying them through the feelings she spared and the overall inconsequential nature of what she lied about. Even though condemning any act of lying comes as a reflex for most, the context and motivation behind a lie is just as crucial as the act itself, therefore justifying untruthfulness in certain situations. …show more content…
If the truth is told the friend is killed and you become complicit in their murder, so lying is the most morally sound choice in this situation, as it spares a life. Although this is clearly an extreme situation, the merits of being untruthful are still revealed through it.
Such aforementioned merits are further supported through the reminder that, “We lie for a reason” (Hancock), whether that be “to protect ourselves or for our own gain or for somebody else’s gain” (Hancock). Although not all lies are selfless, those that are must not be ignored or unjustly grouped with those that are not justified, as a lie told to spare one’s feelings (or theoretically spare a life) are just as ethical as the