Comments on: Honesty Vs. Truthfulness – The Virtuous Human

By: Rippey

Rippey — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 19:14:29 +0000

To me, the truth is something that is factual in nature. Be it a person’s feelings towards you or the sky is blue. Honesty however as mentioned is an attribute of a person. In that attribute however, a honest person will reveal the reasoning WHY behind that thruthful statement. If your spouse says, “I don’t love you anymore” that may be the truth and it will hurt. If she was honest, she would say, “I don’t love you anymore because you don’t water the lawn” they are being truthful and honest. Honestly speaking, because of X now Y is the truth.

By: Daniel O'Connor

Daniel O'Connor — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 03:45:43 +0000

What you are calling “truthfulness” is properly called “truth.” Truth is about correspondence with reality. What you are calling “honesty” could also be called “truthfulness” as you actually wrote in your definition. The christian woman in your example was not “truthful” nor “honest” and yet what she told the nazis was a “truth” that corresponded with reality. It was not “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” she “dishonestly” left out a part of the “whole truth” in order to serve a higher moral standard than the nazis she lied to.

By: Alex Sheibani

Alex Sheibani — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 08:25:39 +0000

Personal story on the subject:

When I was 7 years old, in 1982, Some people knew I would be traveling to see an uncle of mine with family who was an important political target by the the Islamic authorities in Iran.

I knew it would endanger my family, as his whereabouts was a family secret at the time and because so many opponents of the Regime had been systematically assassinated in France, Germany, England, Spain, and Italy without much public knowledge or complaint from these governments (with their blessings).

So I questioned, how any one in my family could possibly expect me to travel to California with such clothes? Which was an implied lie, because we weren’t going to California, it really threw everyone off. Oh well… I truthfully wasn’t sorry I couldn’t help.

The Truth I served was Freedom, those who help others realize it are pursuing truth.

By: Alex Sheibani

Alex Sheibani — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 07:59:27 +0000

I found your site while typing in truth and honesty. Truthfulness gives rise to natures laws, as well as it seems, god and all that is. This subject really matters. Great work on your site, feels good to see others helping others. Nice first name by the way, your parents must be very smart.

By: Georgia

Georgia — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:49:28 +0000

I found your site while seeking precept vs. tenent. It looks like a great site, I’ll have to investigage further!

By: Shilpan | successsoul.com

Shilpan | successsoul.com — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 02:18:19 +0000

Alex -

Good to see you back my friend. I remember reading Mahatma Gandhi’s thoughts on the same subject. He considered Truthfulness as the mother of honesty. If you think hard, truthfulness is the source of goodness. Mahatma Gandhi also considered truthfulness more sacred than God. I love this post.

Shilpan

By: Alex Shalman

Alex Shalman — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 21:15:11 +0000

These notes are from lectures and convos.

By: Dolmena

Dolmena — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:09:24 +0000

A minor proofreading point: the spelling is “lying” not “lieing.”

Also, are the definitions from a conversation or lecture during your trip, or from a book, or what?

By: Dolmena

Dolmena — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:07:43 +0000

A minor proofreading point: the spelling is “lying” not “lieing.”

By: Starfire

Starfire — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 02:00:31 +0000

There’s a saying I came across once that I can’t find the original source of, but which I’ve always liked: “Today I told a lie to be kind, and I don’t regret it, because I am more sure of what is kind than I am of what is true”

Although I recognise that it can be easy to use such thinking as an excuse to avoid being truthful just because the lie would be easier, I also tend to have a pretty (long-term) utilitarian approach to ethics. Doing the thing that brings the most benefit to the most people in the long-term does, for the most part, does make sense to me – even if it means breaking a generally-held precept that makes perfect ethical sense under other circumstances.

Of course, working out what the thing is that will do the most good for the most people, and getting it right is a whole ‘nother issue…

Blessings

Starfire

By: marina

marina — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:58:07 +0000

Amazing post! The story is so compelling, and it really shows how many honest people operate in a very amoral realm. We are truthful when we ask ourselves the question ‘what is right’, as opposed to what is easiest to perceive as right at this moment. Keep up the great work!!!

By: Cath Lawson

Cath Lawson — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:27:32 +0000

Hi Alex – interesting post. It really is about doing what is ethical isn’t it – and consider the potential outcome before you do or say something. That isn’t always easy, as one action can have several outcomes.

Even your example of the 93 year old woman could have another negative outcome. If the doctor had not told her that her husband had cancer, she may have lived much longer. But then again, the man may have died before her through the stress and strain of having to look after her at home whilst he was coping with cancer.

By: Alex Shalman

Alex Shalman — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:33:05 +0000

Morals are a good way to size up what the correct response to a situation is. Having empathy and caring for others will often lead you to the right decision. I mean, it’s not like there’s a book with instructions for life or anything… or is there? =)

By: Jarrod - Warrior Development

Jarrod - Warrior Development — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:34:01 +0000

This is a very interesting post.

It raises a question of how does someone know the correct way to act in any moment. I don’t really know the answer but I know it is not to be caught up in thoughts and feelings at the time. Any ideas?