Robert C. Solomon | Is It Ever Right to Lie?
Solomon distinguishes between a lie being the right thing to do given the context and a lie being what one ought to do. His criteria is to excuse a lie as long as a greater evil would result from telling the truth. Turning to business practice, he lists lesser consequences (such as not telling the whole truth) to more harmful consequences of lying (such as telling a vicious lie) to balance the need for professional honesty with the daily concerns of the business.
-Kant's primary reason for thinking that it is never right to lie was to imagine what would happen in a world in which
A) lying was generally acceptable.
B) no one would ever lie.
C) no one believed anything.
D) both b and c

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Kant's reasoning against lying involves imagining a world where lying is generally acceptable, leading to a breakdown of trust and communication.

Robert C Solomon | Is It Ever Right to Lie