Truth and Truth-Telling - Essay Example

In all these cases the ultimate goal of treating a patient completely is hampered. The author emphasizes that trust involves both confidence and reliance. In the medical profession truth-telling mainly relies on the aftermath or the consequence. For instance, if truth-telling is good, or gives hope to a patient, then it is considered that a partial truth of a complete lie is ok. This is the view of Utilitarians. On the other hand, a Deontologist would emphasize on telling truth regardless of the outcome.

The author quotes that truth is a statement or belief that corresponds to reality. Here the partial knowledge or a partial lie that is used is considered as a complete lie. The author illustrated this by giving two examples and how it can have an impact on the person on the opposite side. It is very essential to be truthful completely. The rationale or the reason for truth-telling is emphasized in the Bible and Quran. Lying is morally wrong and diminishes social trust. Truth-telling is one of the most important tools in decision making and produces long term benefits rather than harm.

The author defines lying as a deliberate hiding of information and also providing false information. Many times instead of telling truth, some of us use something called the white lie. For instance, flattering of any sort to gain something from a person is termed as a white lie. Sometimes people take the help of white lie to hide the actual emotional feelings. Lying or hiding the truth by the utilitarians is sometimes justified as most of it is deliberately said to either prevent harm or to promote happiness.

The author also describes a situation where lying is made a tool to gain an advantage over the enemy or in other situations such as a business when you want to gain some profit over the competitors. Additionally, when situations arise when the truth is not desired, people take support if the lie. The author in this chapter emphasis that truth-telling is very important but many times people take the support of lying maybe for a good reason or to protect their own interest. In general, it is always better to take the support of truth rather than lying as without truth a person cannot build positive trust which is essential for a strong relationship.