People in relationships report telling fewer lies.

Knapp and Vangelisti list lying as viable relationship strategy:

1. Does the lie help both or just one person? (most lies in close relationships told to help partner)

2. Is lie consistent with rules within relationship? (categories of lies ok or not)

3. Dows the lied-to partner believe his/her best interests are at heart in this situation? 

Nondisclosure about infidelity is nonviable lie category according to Knapp and Vangelisti.

99% of individuals expect fidelity in relationship.

28% of individuals in romantic relationship admit to infidelity

• Intimates are mutually influential (you got lied to, but maybe you influenced your partner to lie to you)
• Intimates have multiple exposure to lies ( if you lie, have to keep lying)
• Intimates better-than-average lie detectors
• Intimates have incentive to not detect those lies (don't want to always be suspicious)

Ethics- Study of the general nature of morals and the specific moral choices a person makes.

•  More sensitive to received than performed unethical acts
• Personal freedom & moral responsibility in conflict
• Can be seen as ongoing process or reflection, not a strict code
• Moral instinct may exist

Aristotle's Golden Mean

Aristotle's Golden Mean

1. Ethics dealt with one's inner character, not just one's acts
2. Morality is to be found in moderation-the golden mean between excess and deficiency
3. Some acts have no mean: lying, adultery, murder, theft
4. Ethics related to the happiness of the individual; politics the welfare of the community

3 Principles for making ethical decisions

1. Ends-Based Principles: Utilitarianism (proper course of action is the one that maximizes overall happiness) exemplifies this
2. Rule-Based Principles: Unchanging codes, emphasis on obligation
3. Care-Based Principles: Compassion, typified by the Golden Rule

Kant's Categorical Imperative

1. Ethics involve universal laws that are absolute and without exception.
2. A lie even to prevent murder is unjustified.
3. Morality is judged by intentions rather than outcomes
4. Many religions use categorical imperatives (Ten Commandments)

Bentham and Mill's Utilitarianism

1. Outcomes are more important than intentions in morality
2. Mill calls this the greatest happiness principle: actions are right if they produce great happiness/similar to the greatest good for most people.

Rawls' Principle of Justice

1. To balance social inequity, put all behind a "veil of ignorance" where one's position and interests are unknown
2. From behind the veil a fair and just decision for all can be made

Bok- Moral Excuses for Lying

• To avoid harm
• To produce benefits
• For fairness
• For sake of unknown truth

Lippard- 5 Reasons for Lying

1. To protect/acquire material resources
2. To decrease/increase affiliation
3. To protect oneself
4. To avoid conflict
5. To protect others
   

Ethical Dimensions of Disclosing Secrets

1. Should one disclose behaviors of others when it would cause harm?
2. School shootings involve issues of loyalty
3. Ethical considerations for biographers
4. Can tapes of therapy sessions be released after death
5. When do rights to privacy outweigh the public's right to know?
6. Concealment of victim identities
7. Information in the Political Realm
8. Technology Raises Privacy Issues

Whistleblowing- Identifying ethical violations in one's own group

Bok identifies 3 elements of whistleblowing

1. Dissent from the group
2. Breach of loyalty to the group
3. Specific individuals are accused of responsibility