Case Study

• Students will have the ability to apply theoretical and philosophical statements on lying to real life situations by discussing the lies of journalists when tortured by terrorists.

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Case Study - Journalists lie under duress to secure their release:

The Associated Press reported on August 28 that just prior to the release of two Fox News journalist captives (Olaf Wlig, 36, from New Zealand; and Steve Centanni, 60, from America) they "appeared in a video dressed in traditional Arab robes, ranting against the West and saying they had converted to Islam." (Article Title "Captured journalists freed, Page A3, Norwich Bulletin, August 28, 2006) 

Needless to say, the journalists who were freed on 8/17/06 said these statement under duress after having been in captivity for two week.  Their possessions had been taken away and they were abused.  .

Why did they lie? Steve Centanni told Fox, "It was something we felt we had to do because they had the guns, and we didn't know what the hell was going on." 

As true journalists, their fear is that reporters may be frightened by the prospect of reporting in Gaza.

Question for discussion:

• Is telling the truth an absolute value that one should never deviate from?
• When is it OK to lie? What justifies a lie?
• When is it not OK to lie?
• Were the two journalists, Wlig and Centanni justified in lying?
• On the hierarchy of values, where does lying fit in compared to other values?

Defining Terms

What is  a lie per
something that misleads or deceives

White Lie:
Thiroux quotes Bok when defining white lie: “A falsehood not meant to injure anyone, and of little moral impact.”
Thiroux suggests white lies have little moral impact. 
Other ethicists would disagree

Thomas Sowell comments in his March 30, 2005 editorial, "This must be the golden age of euphemisms. When people deliberately violate our laws by crossing our borders illegally, they are called 'undocumented workers.'  When people steal copyrighted material and exchange it among themselves. that is 'file swapping' instead of fencing stolen goods" ("Why are pedophiles ever freed from jail? Norwich Bulletin, page A5).

Lies of Commission & Omission

Thiroux distinguishes between lies of commission & lies of omission.
A lie of commission is actually telling someone a lie.

A lie of omission is refraining from giving information to give someone the wrong impression.  For example, you may not volunteer the information  that you take drugs or have committed a serious crime, and give people the opposite impression

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Ethical Theories & their views on lying, cheating, breaking promises: & cheating:

Rule nonseconsequentialists:

Do not lie, cheat steal or break promises.
This is the traditional point of view – (Kant, St. Augustine, John  Wesley founder of Methodism)  
Refer to the 10 commandments (Thou shalt not)

 Consequentialists
A consequentialist would look at the result of lying, cheating, stealing & breaking promises.

 Ethical egoists would do what is best for them

Utilitarians would try to figure out what would bring the most good. or the most pleasure