Lying by Comission
Part I: Description
Lying by Commission: The Art of Intentional Deception
Lying by commission refers to the act of deliberately telling a falsehood to deceive another person. Unlike a lie of omission where you withhold information, a lie of commission involves fabricating a story or intentionally creating a false impression.
Key Elements of Lying by Commission
Active Deception: It's not simply failing to tell the whole truth, but actively creating a false narrative.
Intent to Mislead: The liar knows the statement is false and intends to deceive the other person.
Varying Severity: Lies of commission range from small white lies to major falsehoods with serious consequences.
Examples of Lying by Commission
Fabricating Stories: Making up entire events or scenarios that did not happen.
Exaggerations: Inflating details of a true story to make it seem more impressive or dramatic.
Manipulating Information: Presenting selected facts out of context to create a particular impression.
Why is it Important to Understand?
Erosion of Trust: Lying by commission breaks trust in relationships, both personal and professional.
Potential Harm: Lies of commission can cause damage when decisions are made based on false information.
Ethical Considerations: Many ethical systems condemn lying, especially when it intends to deceive.
Part II: Common Questions
1. How is lying by commission different from a "white lie"?
Answer: While both are deceptive, the intent differs:
White Lies: Often told to avoid hurting someone's feelings or smoothing a social situation, with minimal harm intended.
Lying by Commission: Entails a more conscious intent to deceive for personal gain or to avoid potential consequences.
2. Are there situations where lying by commission is ever justified?
Answer: This is an ethical gray area:
Highly Debated: Philosophers have long grappled with this question, offering differing views on lying.
Rare Exceptions: Some argue it may be justified in extreme situations like saving someone's life, but the harm caused by the lie must be weighed carefully.
Generally Harmful: Most experts agree frequent reliance on lying by commission erodes trust and is socially damaging.
3. How can I tell if someone is lying to me by commission?
Answer: Be watchful for these potential signs:
Inconsistencies: Their story has holes, details change, or it contradicts other information.
Unusual Behavior: Deviation from their normal baseline, seeming overly nervous or evasive.
Gut Feeling: Often, something feels "off," even if you can't pinpoint an exact reason.
Be Cautious: Don't jump to conclusions, but trust your intuition and seek verification if concerned.
4. What are common reasons why people lie by commission?
Answer: Motivations include:
Self-Protection: Avoiding blame, punishment, or embarrassment.
Gaining Advantage: Achieving something they want, such as a job or to impress others.
Manipulating Others: Controlling someone's actions or influencing their decisions.
Pathological Lying: In rare cases, some individuals lie compulsively, even without clear benefit.
5. What can I do if I catch someone in a lie by commission?
Answer: How you respond depends on the severity and context:
Minor Lies: Sometimes it's best to let it slide, but monitor for a pattern of dishonesty.
Significant Lies: Confront the person calmly, expressing your concern about the impact of their dishonesty.
Repeated Lying: May necessitate setting boundaries or reconsidering if the relationship is healthy.
Part III: Additional Resources
Books about Lying by Commission
Lying by Sam Harris:
Offers a concise philosophical and neuroscientific exploration of lying, including analysis of why we lie and the potential harm falsehoods cause.
Spy the Lie: Former CIA Officers Teach You How to Detect Deception by Philip Houston, Michael Floyd, Susan Carnicero & Don Tennant
Provides insights on detecting deception, including lies of commission, based on interrogation techniques.
The Liar in Your Life: How to Tell if Someone is Lying and What to Do About It by Robert Feldman:
Explores the psychology of lying, with focus on identifying the different forms lies take and their impact on relationships.
Websites and Online Resources about Lying by Commission
Greater Good Science Center (Berkeley): Search for articles on dishonesty, deception, or trust – topics closely related to lying by commission. (https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/)
Psychology Today: Search for blog posts and articles on lying, specifically exploring examples of lying by commission and the possible motivations behind it. (https://member.psychologytoday.com/)
The Art of Manliness: Often features articles around ethical dilemmas and building character, which may include discussions on lying by commission. (https://www.artofmanliness.com/)
Additional Options about Lying by Commission
Courses on Deception Detection: Some online platforms offer courses teaching how to spot lies by commission, focusing on body language and behavioral cues (Udemy, etc.). (https://www.udemy.com/)
Opens in a new windowwww.themeum.com
Udemy website
Research on Lying: Explore academic databases like JSTOR or Google Scholar to find research articles exploring the psychology and consequences of deliberate deception.
Ted Talks: Search for talks on topics such as ethics, trust, or the neuroscience of lying, which may touch on specific examples of lying by commission. (https://www.ted.com/)
Ethical Philosophy Resources: Explore texts or websites dedicated to discussing moral philosophy, where you'll find debates on the ethical implications of lying by commission.
Part IV: Disclaimer
These results were highly selected, curated, and edited by The Nexus Inititiative. To make this amount of complimentary content available at a cost-effective level for our site visitors and clients, we have to rely on, and use, resources like Google Gemini and other similar services.