Is it right to speak the truth all the time? The debate on whether it is right to speak the truth has been prevalent throughout history since the advent of communication given the natural inclination of humans to portray themselves in good light to other individuals. Additionally, it is right to conclude that the telling of lies has been normalized by recurrent cultures and habits which have led to the classification of lies as white lies and lies ( Hutchings, 2018) . The demarcation established between the pertained types of truths acts to delineate the normalization of lies while the truth is that lies do more harm than good. Telling the truth is the right thing to do at all times given the fact that the truth doesn’t change with time or seasons ( Kagan, 2018) . On the other hand, lies have to be remembered given the fact that they are mostly based upon fiction rather than upon the truth. Telling the truth therefore increases the reliability of an individual in addition to making an individual confident in the expression of facts and the provision of follow-up information.
Research indicates however that telling the truth could also be hindered by the fear of the repercussions of these truths which may encompass punitive action or hurting of other individual’s feelings ( Vardy, 2016) . However, the same studies indicate that the feared repercussions would still manifest themselves later on given the fact that uncovering the truth is not as tedious a task as the covering up of the truth ( Vardy, 2016) . Furthermore, telling the truth is bound to save individuals from any future misfortunes that may result from a lie given the fact that most decision making both personal and otherwise required adept knowledge of the facts of a case ( Kagan, 2018) . Being truthful therefore plays a critical role in ensuring that accurate decisions can be made and that strategies and plans put in place are ideal for that specific situation.
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Ethical Argument
While lying might seem convenient or even necessary in some avenues with the permissibility that has been issued to given “degrees” of truthfulness and lies it is evident that lying results in more harm than good ( Hutchings, 2018) . A factual analysis of the situation would rather dictate that lying is likely to result in incompetence together with unreliability and untrustworthiness of individuals, all which are vital virtues to possess in a world that has desperately fallen short ( Kagan, 2018) . The fear of repercussions of telling the truth while not unfounded is short sighted given the fact that the punitive measures that would be taken have way less far-reaching consequences as compared to those of lies when they are uncovered or come out eventually ( Hutchings, 2018) . To this extent, being truthful not only makes an individual virtuous but also makes them socially desirable and easy to get along with.
Explanation and Defense
Various ethical arguments can be put forward in support of telling the truth even though the most ideal and comprehensive ethical theory that provides clear guidance upon this issue is the theory of deontological ethics ( Kagan, 2018) . The theory of deontology asserts or rather proposes that the means of achieving an objective justifies the end result of the action ( Vardy, 2016) . Therefore, in the pursuit of the completion of tasks or the achievement of any given objectives, it is vital for individuals to pay attention to the means that are used to achieve the end goals.
If the means are immoral or unjust, then according to the deontological theory, the end results should be nullified given the fact that it is the means that justify the end despite the convenience that may be achieved or the quality of the results or end product ( Kagan, 2018) . The theory asserts that is evident that a majority of individuals have the right intentions and will in committing to a goal or objective however, what differentiates between what is right or wrong pertaining to an end result is not the will or intention but the means used to achieve it ( Hutchings, 2018) . One prevalent question that is begged by the deontology theorists is whether an individual would mind if the same actions were taken against them in the determination on whether the course of action taken by an individual is the best strategy for them.
To this extent therefore, telling the truth is a critical part of ensuring that the action aligns with the good will of an individual. Even if the end result is undesirable, more emphasis is put on the means rather than on the end itself ( Vardy, 2016) . To this effect therefore, an individual should be lauded and should feel good given the fact that their actions have been virtuous and they have done what is morally just and right ( Hutchings, 2018) . When an individual lies either to protect themselves from punitive action or to avoid hurting another individual’s feelings, it is vital to comprehend that the action unjustified the ends that have been achieved.
Objection and Response
On the other hand, the question on whether it is right to speak the truth all the time could also be considered through the lens of utilitarian ethics which is keen to note that the outcomes and consequences of our actions justify the means that have been used to achieve it ( Vardy, 2016) . The utilitarian ethics therefore acts to attach the most weight upon the outcomes deeming it that if the outcome is desirable, then the actions taken to arrive at it are justified and therefore ethically and morally right ( Kagan, 2018) . According to utilitarian theorists therefore, as long as the actions taken do not cause harm or hurt individuals, then it is right to conclude that the actions are necessary for the ultimate good of every individual to be achieved.
However, given the fact that ethics and morality is a multidisciplinary concept, focusing on the consequences of actions rather than the means to achieve the end could result in an oversight of various critical factors that determine morality and ethics ( Kagan, 2018) . While the end of an action could be desirable, the means used to achieve it could have caused more harm than good therefore questioning the morality of the end and consequence in itself ( Vardy, 2016) . In the same measure, telling statements that are not truthful is a breach of the ethics of communication which therefore puts to question the end result and its accuracy, reliability and validity.
Given the fact that the ease of communication has been revolutionized with the advent of technology, it has become increasingly critical for individuals to be keen on the truthfulness of their statements and communications of others ( Hutchings, 2018) . This is despite the fact that geographical distance and lack of vision to decipher he facial expressions and gestures of individuals may make it an insurmountable task to verify the level of truth of facts ( Hutchings, 2018) . Truthfulness is lauded by deontological ethics which observes the fact that it is vital say the truth at all times due to the fact that the means justify the end. By telling the truth, the consequences of the truths will be justified by the fact that telling the truth is virtuous and morally right ( Hutchings, 2018) . Critics however rely on utilitarianism observing that it is rather the consequences that justify the means. This however would be like the proverbial ostrich’s head in the sand given the fact that it is morally wrong to ignore facts merely because the desired consequence was achieved.
References
Hutchings, K. (2018). Global ethics: an introduction . John Wiley & Sons.
Kagan, S. (2018). Normative ethics . Routledge.
Vardy, P. (2016). The puzzle of ethics . Routledge.
