If the literal truth causes confusion, but a lie portrays the truth via a careful misunderstanding, is it really a lie?
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Sometimes during everyday conversation, you can notice based on someone's subtle feedback, that they may be misinterpreting something you are telling them. For the sake of the question, please suspend doubt in the premise itself:
This literal truth causes confusion and ignorance for them, but our hypothetical lie communicates the truth effectively and even helps gently erode away the delusions they suffer from. (Because our words were exactly what they needed to hear, so that when their delusions distort their understanding, it lands on the truth.)
Is this really a lie, or is it perfect language? (Is it a corrupted compromise between them?)
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EDIT: More specifically, is it breaking the precept of false speech?
> I undertake the training rule to abstain from false speech.
*Is a lie still false if it communicates the truth?*
Asked by Selfless Psychopath
(153 rep)
Apr 21, 2015, 04:18 PM
Last activity: Sep 14, 2017, 01:40 PM
Last activity: Sep 14, 2017, 01:40 PM