When not saying the truth is ethically acceptable?
By Anish Asokan
@RevivedWarrior (3701)
India
February 23, 2025 2:35am CST
From our childhood, we are taught and perhaps we also learned from our experiences, honesty and transparency are vital values and we should adhere to same.
Today I encountered a situation where not saying the truth seems to be best thing. My friend’s father is suffering from cancer and perhaps has few days to live. The doctor told him in confidence things. He is yet to share the news with his mother, brother or relatives. He wants them to enjoy the last few days without counting each day as final day for him.
It is emotionally a struggle but then a compassionate choice. Rigid truth can sometimes be painful and cause lot of damage than lie or well-intentioned omission. Do you think there are situation such as above where not saying truth is ethically acceptable?
8 people like this
8 responses
@somewitch (2254)
•
23 Feb
I think there are two ways to lie: by omission, like the example, or by fabrication.
I believe omission is the least severe, as you just refrain from telling the truth.
I'm not sure if your friend's father did the right thing, but sometimes it's hard to find the right words to express truth in the safest and clearest way possible, and maybe in those situations it's acceptable to stay quiet, or tell a white lie even.
4 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (47411)
• India
23 Feb
Sometimes, a few situations could be a grey area.
Not telling could be good for someone's health & well being.
On the other hand, it could mean a sudden shock if some unforeseen event were to happen.
In the above case, it is so so tough to tell or not tell the truth.
So it is up to an individual to make a decision.
3 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (47411)
• India
26 Feb
@RevivedWarrior
Yes, not an ideal situation but still something that would have caused disturbance all the time!
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (185692)
• United States
26 Feb
Yes, there are times wen it is etically better not to tell the truth,
2 people like this
@innertalks (22366)
• Australia
24 Feb
While it is true that the truth can sometimes cut like a knife, it is always better to have the truth, than put up with the festering non-truth.
Nobody should have to have the truth hidden from them, as who are we to make this judgment call.
Tell the truth always, and do not mislead with non-truthful sentiments.
@innertalks (22366)
• Australia
26 Feb
@RevivedWarrior Thanks.
I am glad that you saw my point here.
Going with truth can never be wrong, as going with non-truth, and non-truthful sentiments, always leads us all up the wrong path in life.
When truth is given with a share of love with it, any cuts made by truth's knife are quickly healed then too.
@RevivedWarrior (3701)
• India
26 Feb
Truth definitely can cut like a knife. I do agree there is no point with non-truthful sentiments.
1 person likes this
@Dreamerby (6791)
• Calcutta, India
23 Feb
Yes I think sometimes we cannot be foursquare if it involves others' mental peace.
3 people like this
@RevivedWarrior (3701)
• India
26 Feb
There are situations , such as these ,when it would be better not to speak the truth as it could destroy the peace of people around us.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (141383)
• India
27 Feb
I would do the same and most do it too. They never tell the loved ones the truth about someone not living for long
1 person likes this
@sathviksouvik (20136)
•
27 Feb
in Courts also witnesses are asked to take an oath for speaking the truth
