Abstract
A theory of lying is presented. A lie is to believe one thing and to express another. The liar must be aware that the belief and statement are different. On this new definition: A lie is not the same as making a false statement. A lie is not the same as not telling the objective truth. A lie in itself is neither good nor bad, but just a contradiction between belief and statement. There are consequences of lying: We gain faulty information on which to base decisions. We fail to understand what or how the liar really thinks and feels which is especially important in medicine. Communication is undermined as well as relationships, which are based on communication. Trust is undermined. Lying promotes more lying and encourages others to lie. A lie (or truth) may benefit all in the short run, but not in the long run, or vice versa. We may not realize or be able to know in advance the harmful consequences that even the smallest lie may have.
Omnis homo mendax. (All people lie)
Lies are imaginary gardens with real people in them [2].
Pretty much all of the honest truth telling there is in the world, is done by children. (Supreme Court Justice, Oliver Wendell Holmes)
† Deceased
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
See Shibles, W. 1985. Lying: A critical analysis. Whitewater, WI: Language Press; Shibles, W. 1988. A revision of the definition of lying as an untruth told with intent to deceive. Argumentation 2:95–113 (Lying book reviewed in Revue Philosophique March 1987:123; Revue de Metaphysique et de Morale (Paris) vol. 2 1987. American Rationalist 1986. 30:103 Also see forms of lying in Shibles, W. 2002. Shibles eBook on humor at http://facstaff.uww.edu/shiblesw/ or search: Shibles humor.
Shibles, W. 2002. Lügen und Lügen lassen: Eine kritische Analyse des Lügens. Maier, B. tr, Mainz: Lermann Verlag.
Bok, S. 1978. Lying. Moral choice in public and private life, 228–229. New York: Pantheon; 1989/1999 Vintage books, New York; Random House; Bok, S. 1983. On the ethics of concealment and revelation, esp. ch III, 5 Secrecy and self-deception. Vintage Books: New York.
Fainzanz, S. 2002. Lying, secrecy and power within the doctor-patient relationship. Anthropology and Medicine 9:117–133; esp.119.
Nietzsche, F. 1977. A Nietzsche Reader. Hollingdale, R.J. tr. New York: Penguin; Thus Spoke Zarathustra I. 17: “The Way of the Creator.” 90.
Nietzsche, F. 1977. A Nietzsche Reader, Antichrist 55. Hollingdale RJ tr. New York: Penguin; Nietzsche, F. 1960. “On Truth and Lie in an Extra-Moral Sense.” 3 vols, Schlechta, K. ed, München.
Carson T, Wokutch, R., and Murrman, K. 1982. Bluffing in labor relations: Legal and ethical issues. Journal of Business Ethics 1:13–22; esp.20.
Carson T, Wokutch, R., and Murrman, K. 1982. Bluffing in labor relations: Legal and ethical issues. Journal of Business Ethics 1:13–22; esp.13.
Higgs, R. 1994. Truth-telling, lying and the doctor-patient relationship. In Principles of health care ethics. eds. Gillon, R., and Lloyd, A., 499–509; esp.502 New York: John Wiley.
Nuyen, A. 1999. Lying and deceiving: Moral choice in public and private life. International Journal of Applied Philosophy 13:69–79 esp. 78.
Nuyen, A. 1999. Lying and deceiving: Moral choice in public and private life. International Journal of Applied Philosophy 13:69–79 esp. 76.
Fainzanz, S. 2002. Lying, secrecy and power within the doctor-patient relationship. Anthropology and Medicine 9:117–133.
Henry, L. 2005. Disclosure of medical errors: Ethical considerations for the development of a facility policy and organizational culture change. Policy, Politics and Nursing Practice 6:127–134 esp.130.
Beauchamp, T., and Childress, J. 1994. Principles of biomedical ethics, 4th edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Henry, L. 2005. Disclosure of medical errors: Ethical considerations for the development of a facility policy and organizational culture change. Policy, Politics and Nursing Practice 6:127–34 esp.131.
Bok, S. 1978. Lying. Moral choice in public and private life, 37. New York: Pantheon; 1989/1999. Vintage books. New York: Random House.
Shakespeare, W. 1964. Shakespeare’s Sormets. Sormet 138. Ed. Rowse A. L. London: Macmillan.
Frankl, V. 1946. Man’s search for meaning. London: Rider; Frankl, V. 1959. From death camp to existentialism: A psychiatrist`s path to a new therapy. Lasch, I. tr, Boston: Beacon Press.
Hazlitt, W. 1931. On the fear of death. Essays. ed. Gray, C., 302–313 New York: Macmillan.
Shakespeare, W. 2006. Hamlet i.5.107. Edn Thompson, A., and Taylor N. London: Alden Shakespeare.
cf. Shibles, W. 1992. Altruism versus egoism: A pseudo-problem: A cognitive-emotive analysis. International Journal of Applied Philosophy 7:21–29.
Dewey, J., and Tufts, J. 1908/1932. Ethics. New York: Holt.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Maier, B., Shibles†, W.A. (2011). Lying in Medicine. In: The Philosophy and Practice of Medicine and Bioethics. International Library of Ethics, Law, and the New Medicine, vol 47. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-8867-3_20
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-8867-3_20
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-90-481-8866-6
Online ISBN: 978-90-481-8867-3
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)