this post was submitted on 13 May 2026
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[–] SarahValentine@lemmy.blahaj.zone 20 points 2 hours ago* (last edited 1 hour ago) (5 children)

I wouldn't consider it in a vacuum. I also look at intent and consequences. Did they omit info to gain advantage over others, or were they refusing to tell a Nazi where they hid the jews? Did their choice lead to a better outcome for everyone, or did it cause chaos and disrupt lives needlessly?

Everyone going "duh it's still a lie" - calling someone a liar carries a specific connotation which I don't think applies in all cases of so-called "lies". To me, a lie carries with it not just an intentional falsehood but an accusation or an accusable misdeed. I wouldn't call someone a liar because they hid jews from nazis.

[–] Korhaka@sopuli.xyz 21 points 2 hours ago

Pretty sure not telling the nazi is still a lie. But an example of when it is ethical to lie.

[–] chahn.chris@piefed.social 1 points 41 minutes ago (1 children)

Your point highlights the fact that lies are a tool. The intentional omission is a lie.

Judgment about the tool’s use is subjective.

Everyone uses this tool. Calling someone a liar is either calling them a human or it means you’re saying they use the tool more than they should which is yet another subjective judgment.

[–] SarahValentine@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 5 minutes ago

An interesting take, but not one that can be leaned on to navigate daily life as it doesn't reflect an understanding of how most people wield the label of "liar".

[–] SaltSong@startrek.website 8 points 2 hours ago

You are either answering the wrong question, or are defining a lie based on some criteria I don't recognize.

Telling a Nazi there are no Jews in my basement is a lie. The only way it's not a lie is if there are, in fact, no Jews in my basement. But it is not wrong to lie to a Nazi.

[–] charokol@lemmy.world 6 points 2 hours ago

A lie is still a lie, even if it’s told to a Nazi or if there’s an otherwise good outcome

[–] Reygle@lemmy.world 2 points 2 hours ago

Ooh I like that perspective.