more from Benjamin Constant

Single Idea 22440

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / D. Deontological Ethics / 2. Duty]

Full Idea

The moral principle 'it is a duty to tell the truth' would, if taken unconditionally and singly, make any society impossible.

Gist of Idea

Unconditional truth-telling makes a society impossible

Source

Benjamin Constant (On Political Reactions [1797], p.124), quoted by Immanuel Kant - On a supposed right to lie p.28

Book Reference

'Deontology', ed/tr. Darwall,Stephen [Blackwell 2003], p.28


A Reaction

He gives the well known example of the murderer at the door asking if your friend is inside. Compare everyone becoming perfectly telepathic. Our society would collapse, but a new society would learn to live with it.

Related Idea

Idea 7 Surely you don't return a borrowed weapon to a mad friend? [Plato]