Lying: Moral Choice in Public and Private Life

Overview

Sissela Bok offers a systematic moral examination of lying and deception as they occur in both private relationships and public life. She defends a strong presumption against lying while recognizing that moral life is frequently complicated by conflicting duties, uncertain consequences, and difficult choices. The analysis moves beyond simple rule-following, aiming to provide a practical method for judging particular cases where truth and deception compete.

Core moral framework

Bok articulates a "principle of veracity" that treats truthfulness as a fundamental social value because it undergirds trust, communication, and mutual respect. Lying is not ruled out absolutely, but it carries a heavy burden of justification: reasons for deception must be compelling and examined openly before decisions are made. The presumption against lying arises from the predictable social harms that follow when deception becomes routine or institutionalized.

Tests and method

A central procedural tool is a two-step method for moral decision-making about lies. First, one should reflect empathetically on the motivations and foreseeable consequences of telling the lie, giving full consideration to moral alternatives. Second, one should apply a "test of publicity" by imagining how an audience of reasonable, informed people would respond if the lie and its justification were made public. If plausible alternatives exist or if the public judgment condemns the deception, the case for lying is weak.

Range of cases and ethical distinctions

Examples run from "white lies" in private life to deception by governments, professionals, and institutions. Bok distinguishes between lying, withholding information, and telling partial truths, and she explores how each affects relationships and social trust differently. Situations that provoke special attention include protecting life, preventing serious harm, protecting privacy, and preserving professional confidentiality. Even when consequences might favor deception, the broader effects on societal trust and the moral integrity of the deceiver must be weighed.

Psychological and social effects

Bok investigates not only the immediate outcomes of particular lies but also their cumulative psychological and social consequences. Habitual lying and institutionalized deception erode trust, promote self-deception, and corrode the norms that make cooperative societies possible. Political lies, propaganda, and secrecy are singled out as especially corrosive because they undermine citizens' ability to make informed choices and to hold public officials accountable.

Alternatives and moral imagination

A recurrent practical theme is exploring alternatives to lying: tactful silence, reframing questions, telling partial truths that do not mislead, or seeking consent for withholding information. Bok emphasizes moral imagination, creative thinking about other ways to meet legitimate aims without sacrificing honesty. When deception appears unavoidable, she urges rigorous justification, transparency where possible after the fact, and careful attention to minimizing harms.

Legacy and influence

The analysis helped shape later debates in bioethics, journalism, political ethics, and everyday moral philosophy by offering a middle path between rigid absolutism and unrestrained consequentialism. The emphasis on public justification and trust continues to inform discussions about secrecy, whistleblowing, and official transparency. The work's clarity and practical orientation made it a durable resource for anyone grappling with the ethical dilemmas posed by lying in personal relationships, professional settings, and public life.