Question

Would You Lie To Make Me Happy And Where Would You Draw The Line?

a) I would lie if it's for your happiness, and there's no harm.
b) I'd avoid lying and find other ways to make you happy.
c) I might tell white lies occasionally.
d) I believe honesty is the best policy, even for happiness.

Answer 1

Resolving a conflict between never telling a lie and avoiding harm can be challenging. Act Utilitarianism suggests lying might lead to more overall happiness in certain cases, while Rule Utilitarianism emphasizes the importance of long-term consequences and trust.

Step-by-step explanation:

Resolving a conflict between two perfect duties such as never telling a lie and avoiding harming someone can be challenging. In the scenario where telling the truth may harm someone, different ethical theories offer different perspectives.

Act Utilitarianism

An Act Utilitarian might calculate that in some cases, lying could lead to more overall happiness and less pain. For example, if a doctor were to lie to a terminally ill patient about their prognosis, it might give the patient more time to enjoy life and prevent unnecessary suffering for everyone involved.

Rule Utilitarianism

A Rule Utilitarian, on the other hand, would consider the long-term consequences of doctors lying to patients. They might argue that the harm caused by eroding trust in doctors outweighs the potential short-term happiness gained from lying.

Ultimately, individuals must carefully weigh the potential outcomes and consider the ethical principles they value most when determining the appropriate course of action in these situations.