Here is the synopsis of our sample research paper on Why Lying is Always Wrong. Have the paper e-mailed to you 24/7/365.
Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 3 page paper examines lying and the lying promise as it respects Kantian ethics. This is compared with the Utilitarian position.
Bibliography lists 4 sources.
Page Count:
3 pages (~225 words per page)
File: RT13_SA614lie.rtf
Buy This Term Paper »
Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
white lies. Sometimes, people will lie to make another feel good. Finally, some people lie to save anothers life. Of course, a lie is a lie and in the extreme
seems to be something that is intrinsically wrong. The lying promise is something that has been much discussed in philosophy to distinguish whether ethics can be circumstantial. Lying promises are
sometimes used in the course of law enforcement. One case of an officially sanctioned lying promise is that of James Harvey who in February of 1988 held a classroom of
children hostage (Burke, 1995). One would think that in order to get the dangerous man out of the classroom, officials should say anything in the negotiation process. And that
is exactly what happened. Harvey had been promised a pardon from the governor, but as soon as he left the classroom, he was arrested and ended up serving a life
sentence (Burke, 1995). Was it fair? Was the lie justified? Many would say yes because it was done to save the life of the children. But not all agree with
that assessment. Harvey began to mistrust the government which could prove dangerous if he were to become involved in another situation like a prison takeover (Burke, 1995). Though unusual,
if something like that were to happen, officials would be at an extreme disadvantage (Burke, 1995). Obviously, Burke would not believe them. Secondly, the deceptive tactics were made
public (Burke, 1995). Psychologist Harvey Schlossberg says: "Remember, tomorrows hostage-taker is watching todays news report"(qtd. in Burke, 1995, p.49). Here, it seems that the lying promise was necessary in
order to free the children. It is something that was sanctioned. Few would disagree. Yet, one can see that in this example the outcome was not perfect. In the end,
...