The fact that something has an exception does not detract from it being the rule, nor mean that it is devoid of moral value as such. The fact is, there is a rebuttable presumption against lying in most instances. That is consistent with keeping the bar high. If it is not usually wrong to lie, the bar is too low.
Your word is not reliable if there is no principled adherence to honesty, and exceptions are not rare. There is no general right to adapt one's testimony to one's needs.
You are right, one may have failings and yet also be possessed of compensatory virtues, but in itself, such dishonesty is a kind of parasitism, a way of conning your way through life.
Again, the value of honesty is to be honored in itself, with narrow exceptions. Therefore, the presumption is against lying, although there are times when lying may be justified.......... |
