@themathguy
Yes, of course it's possible that after lying a person might feel bad about it and come clean, trying to be more honest in the future, but the reason that's even necessary is because they've taken a step in the wrong direction by lying in the first place. The effect of a single lie might not be enough to produce an observable change in a person, but each lie does contribute to and reinforce a pattern of dishonesty.
@Mattson402
I just spent an hour researching ethics... everything he said checks out. I really appreciate Greg's videos because I learn interesting things I never intended on learning about. I spent like two hours reading televangelists after his las videos.
@jebnarf
I agree with you one hundred percent on your honesty policy. Thank you for posting this! It has helped me to become a better person.
@JamJells
Agree with this one. Greg, your thoughts on BUSH and the current PNAC plan in motion?
@artsim47
Great summation on an old saying. One I personally had to learn the hard way. And I can tell you from experience that telling the truth might not seem best at the time it always works out better in the long run. Plus it makes you feel so much better inside. Although I hardly ever agree with you.... This one, for me, is your best.
@preacherman777
Excellent video. You're analysis of the problem inherent to situational ethics was spot on. I also very much agree that the best reason to do the right thing is because it's the right thing.
@beachbumde
are you using your grill as your tripod or simply multitasking?
@inykane
Whenever lying or telling a partial truth one often assumes that the other doesn't need to know the "big picture" or that he or she would not be likely to do the "right thing" with the information. Sometimes this may be the case. But then you always assume full responsibility of the consequences of your lie. Sometimes that can mean damage to your integrity and reputation. There are times when I have lied, and would not hesitate to do the same thing again.
@furnifur
I have lied. It hurt me and the person I lied to even though the ends justified the means. It was a situational lie. However, I told the truth to the person I lied to and was not only persecuted for the lie but I am still being persecuted by this person. All the good I have done for this person apparently never mattered and I was then slandered amongst our mutual friends. I always intened to tell the truth but did not expect the cruelty. Just had to share.
@JohnCarverUK
As usual Greg, an excellent presentation. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
@themathguy
That being said, I agree that there's a difference between lying and dishonesty. There are rare circumstances (see my comment about hiding Jews in Nazi Germany) where it is necessary and right to tell a lie. But one ought to be careful about telling lies to make a friend feel better--even if it's out of a genuine desire not to hurt another person's feelings, it reduces your credibility. If you make a habit of it, eventually people will notice and they will start questioning whether anything ...
@inykane
Though I would like to add that for the _most part_, honesty is the best policy. The second best would be, as you have suggested too, a response like "I am sorry, I can not tell you."
@pookieftw
I've got to say I really enjoyed this video. I enjoyed the comments and discussion even more!
@Mattson402
Great video. I have a question... how do we tell if people are lying over the internet, specifically, Youtube. You pretty much outed ZenArcher... but how do I know you're not a phony? You provided no references so for all I know this could be a lie. W/e, guess I got some crap to google now.
@zacksmovies
I agree VERY much about the necessity for honesty, but it is not a mainstream opinion, at least as it applies to day-to-day behaviour in modern western civilization. I guess that may be why you made the video, though. Good job.
@CleverDjembe
If ethical decisions based on intuition are flawed, your main argument about honesty is flawed, because by asserting that lying and stealing are wrong and we should know it due to our sense of fair play and conscience, you're expressing a viewpoint of ethical intuitionism. And I reference Wikipedia to familiarise the reader with different concepts and to provide evidence for my claims.
@terryfic
Being a negative utilitarian myself, I cannot agree with your assumption that honesty is always the best policy. I will agree that the example you are replying to is a little outlandish and unlikely to occur. But, if you abstract it you get a much more common and useful example; one where lying will harm you slightly, but telling the truth will harm others significantly. My belief is that minimizing the overall harm is the must important factor in such an equation even if it necessitates lying
@sloppyjoes7
Solomon, I don't like your recent videos towards Renetto, because I don't like your pious attitude in those videos. But now I've watched this one, and I liked it very much.
@CleverDjembe
Direct transcription of you video: "And regardless of how much spin you try to put on them with situational ethics, it does not alter the fact that lying and stealing are wrong. You can call it conscience, you can call it the sense of fair play, whatever you want to call it."
@themathguy