Single Idea 1562

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 1. Goodness / g. Consequentialism]

Full Idea

It is right to lie to your parents, in order to get them to take a good medicine they are reluctant to take.

Gist of Idea

It is right to lie to someone, to get them to take medicine they are reluctant to take

Source

Anon (Diss) (Dissoi Logoi - on Double Arguments [c.401 BCE], §3)

Book Reference

'The First Philosophers', ed/tr. Waterfield,Robin [OUP 2000], p.292


A Reaction

I dread to think what the medicines were which convinced the writer of this. A rule such as this strikes me as dangerous. Justifiable in extreme cases. House on fire etc.