Jocelyn Brown wrote:
> >Lying under oath in a court of law is illegal. Lying otherwise is
> unethical.
> >
> >Ross F.
>
> Lying is not always unethical. Classic situation: the German who lies to the
> SS about the Jews hidden in his basement.
>
> Jocelyn Brown
> jocelynb@mindspring.com
>
> -----BEGIN GEEK CODE BLOCK-----
> Version: 3.1
> GCA d- s: a- C++ U--- P--- L-- W+ N w+ M- PS+++ PE+++ Y+ t--- 5++ X+ R+ tv+
> b++ DI++ D+ G e+ h- r+++ x+++++
> ------END GEEK CODE BLOCK------
> >
Fair enough, and certainly correct. In that case, the ethical value of saving those from oppression is higher than that of not lying, an ethical tradeoff.
To be purely and completely ethical is nearly impossible for a human, as it is not necessarily a Darwinian advantage. It is a noble goal.
There are multiple sides and interpretations of any issue.
Ross F.
-- Ross Andrew Finlayson 202/387-8208 http://www.tomco.net/~raf/ "C is the speed of light."