2.2.4 Telling lies

• Telling lies is defined as a deliberate statement made with the intention to deceive
• The deontological approach sees lying as a violation of the moral duty to be truthful
• Identify the three key concepts in defining lying

  1️⃣ Deliberate intention to mislead

  2️⃣ Inconsistency with truth

  3️⃣ Statement made with intent to deceive
• The consequentialist approach evaluates the morality of lying based on its consequences
• Identify the key aspects of the deontological perspective on lying

  1️⃣ Moral duties include honesty and respect for autonomy

  2️⃣ Lying is intrinsically wrong

  3️⃣ Justification of lying is rare and only in extreme situations
• Deontology contrasts with consequentialism, which focuses on the outcomes of actions.
• A deliberate intention to mislead involves a conscious plan to make someone believe something that is not true.
• The consequentialist approach judges lying based on whether it leads to better outcomes.

  True
• What does the virtue ethics approach focus on when evaluating the morality of lying?

  Moral character of the agent
• The virtue ethics approach to telling lies focuses on the moral character
• The consequentialist approach evaluates lying based on its outcomes
• The deontological approach may justify lying to protect someone from immediate danger


  True
• The content of a lie must be inconsistent with factual reality

  True
• Consequentialism considers lying acceptable if it prevents harm


  True
• The consequentialist perspective evaluates lying based on its outcomes


  True
• What does deontology focus on when judging the morality of telling lies?

  Inherent rules and duties
• What is the definition of telling lies?

  Intentional statement to deceive
• Match the philosophical approach with its focus:

  Deontological ↔️ Inherent rightness or wrongness

  Consequentialist ↔️ Consequences and outcomes
• What does the consequentialist perspective consider lying acceptable for?

  Preventing harm or promoting well-being
• Virtue ethicists believe lying generally undermines virtues like honesty and trustworthiness.


  True
• Virtue ethicists believe that lying is always wrong regardless of the situation

  False
• Match the ethical approach with its evaluation of lying:

  Deontological ↔️ Generally wrong, violates moral duties

  Consequentialist ↔️ Acceptable if it leads to better outcomes

  Virtue Ethics ↔️ Generally undesirable, but may be justified
• Lying is always unethical according to all philosophical approaches

  False
• Match the philosophical approach with its focus:

  Deontological ↔️ Inherent rightness of the act

  Consequentialist ↔️ Outcomes of the act
• The key difference between deontology and consequentialism is that deontology judges the act itself, while consequentialism judges the outcomes
• The deontological approach focuses on the inherent rightness or wrongness of the act of lying
• Deontologists see lying as a violation of the moral duty to be truthful
• Deontology considers lying intrinsically wrong as it violates moral duties.

  True
• What does the deontological approach see lying as a violation of?

  Moral duty to be truthful
• Match the philosophical perspective with its evaluation of lying:

  Deontological ↔️ Generally wrong, unless justified by specific moral duties

  Consequentialist ↔️ Acceptable if it leads to better outcomes
• Virtue ethicists may justify lying if it serves a higher moral purpose
• The deontological approach evaluates lying based on the inherent rightness or wrongness
• Order the steps in evaluating the morality of lying according to the consequentialist approach:

  1️⃣ Identify the potential outcomes

  2️⃣ Assess the overall wellbeing

  3️⃣ Determine if lying prevents harm

  4️⃣ Justify lying if outcomes are better
• Match the ethical justification for lying with the corresponding philosophical perspective:

  Preventing Harm ↔️ Deontological and Consequentialist

  Promoting Wellbeing ↔️ Consequentialist

  Respecting Autonomy ↔️ Virtue Ethics