Reply ONLY with a question

[Holy Devil]

Wouldn't the Devil be the one responsible?

This is a pretty commonplace moral expression - chosen for two reasons. The first is that most people would agree with it on its face. The other is that the issue of lying has often posed a particular problem for moralists. Would you agree?

 

[Holy Devil]

I'm a7, been here long?

I was here at Lit's inception, and my weapon is long too, are these data important to you?

 

[Holy Devil]

Why are there so many new noobs?

Thats part of the creative chaos. Will madness stop and the lovin' begin?

 

[a7yritch]

I was here at Lit's inception, and my weapon is long too, are these data important to you?

i guess you never know, now do you?

 

[Holy Devil]

i guess you never know, now do you?

That is relative, if I may say so myself, but one thought comes in mind, why are you here?

 

[a7yritch]

That is relative, if I may say so myself, but one thought comes in mind, why are you here?

why shouldn't i be?

 

[Holy Devil]

why shouldn't i be?

That's a good question. Not many know the answer, do they?

 

[unregistered]

 

[Holy Devil]

Yes entirely, unless it was said in jest.

My contention is that this is a perfectly sound moral tenet, despite that it does not hold water in every case. This may sound odd, but that it is not odd is the premise of this post. In other words, I agree that it is correct, but not always, you follow so far?

 

[unregistered]

 

[Holy Devil]

Yes I do, do you agree that a lie can be dangerous?

Scenario: You're at the used car dealer, trying to buy a car. The salesman asks you how much you have to spend. You have US$10,000 to spend on a car. You tell the salesman that you have $8,000. You have lied. This puts the saleman at a disadvantage, because the more he knows, the better he can do his job. (I have sold cars myself - not at a used-only lot, but, of course, one that had used cars.)
You lie here because it is to your advantage to. At the saleman's expense. Is this wrong? I submit that most people would say it is not wrong, or that even if it is deemed wrong, they would do it, anyway. I would say it is not wrong. Why this dichotomy?

 

[MercyMia]

It's not just binary. Have you heard of the third and fourth alternative branches in such a scenario?

 

[unregistered]

 

[Holy Devil]

Because in the bargaining process one side may feel that maintaining a certain position is prudent business, knowing all along the car isn't really worth the asking price.

Sometimes we are in a competitive situation, and sometimes we are not. The salesman here has not lied, has not done anything bad to you (so far, at least). Hasn't cheated you. Is, by all appearances, a pleasant young fellow. Why lie? Because lying, in this case, is a defensive position. We are entitled to take a defensive position in every competitive situation. Where a defensive maneuver is not required, the rules change. Does that make sense to you?

 

[unregistered]

 

[Holy Devil]

Does the salesman know the true worth of the car?

He should, otherwise, how can he be a good salesman?

 

[unregistered]

 

[Jaelen]

Isn't it possible his manager may be directing his selling options to fit a corporate plan?

Mr. Vetteman, I can see that your smart. Do you have PHD in business?

 

[unregistered]

 

[Hikari]

................

 

[Jaelen]

I am a retired business executive with many years experience, but no PHD, why do you ask?

I am impressed with your intelligence, and I admire you because I am just a stupid soldier who fights for his country. I salute you, sir, if thats awright?

 

[MercyMia]

Is public display of admiration permitted on this thread?

 

[unregistered]

 

[Jaelen]

Please don't call me sir, I worked for a living. I was a soldier too, a Marine. It has never been my experience that soldiers are stupid, or ill mannered. Who's army are you in?

I'm sorry Mr. Vetteman. Thems classified info. I hope you undersatnd?

 

[Adakgirl]

If you are takeing Granny out to a nice dinner for her birthday and you await her getting ready for a long,long time in her livingroom and your reservations are for 8:00 and it is now 7:45,and she comes out in a hellacious looking outfit and asks you how she looks.Will you lie to her and tell her she looks just fine?Or will you tell her she looks terrible?