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In Defense of “Little White Lies” in Our Daily Lives?
Outright lies are unacceptable, but those little white lies come in handy in so many situations that call for tact or protecting others from something upsetting. Are they OK to use?
Erasmus, the Dutch philosopher, priest, and writer, offers an interesting perspective for those of us living in the 21st century. He expressed confidence in the potential of human beings for self-improvement, a corollary of his acceptance of free will. He believed in the preponderance of nurture over nature, given the power of the will. He is someone whose work I admire.
One book he wrote about superstition and, in part, a pompous Pope, In Praise of Folly, continues to be a favorite of anyone looking for insight into what we call “the human condition.” In this article, I take a look at what most of us use every day or several times a year, at least, the white lie.
In order to avoid awkward situations or save someone’s feelings, we frequently turn to “little white lies” in our daily lives. These lies are generally harmless because they concern trivial or minor subjects. It’s crucial to understand that lying may have harmful effects and undermine relationships, even in the most innocent-looking of ways.
Examining our reasons for telling small white lies can help us accept the fact that we sometimes…
