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A revision of the definition of lying as an untruth told with intent to deceive

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Abstract

The traditional and prevailing definition of lying is that lying is some variation or combination of: “an untruth told with intent to deceive.” I establish that this is the case, and that, as a result, contradictions and injustices arise. An alternative definition is proposed which is shown to avoid these difficulties. It is also shown that and how on the new definition the alleged “Liar paradox” is easily dissolved.

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Shibles, W. A revision of the definition of lying as an untruth told with intent to deceive. Argumentation 2, 99–115 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00179144

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