HONESTY

[CallidenEmber]

i don't subscribe to the idea of "lying through omission". A lie is a perversion of the truth, a lack of truth is not a lie, nor is it anything.

[thedoors333]

I have to say, the greeks had a god for stealing. But I think your right, this god was shuned of his bad behavior, and they didnt worrship him for this reason

[RIPPPtheJacker]

I poop :)

[makanerwe]

Veryy niiiceeeee.... I LIKE>>!!

[chrisdowney1]

Nice BBQ bud.

[BullnBearAnalytics]

BNB Analytics!

[MichelLune]

Therearetwokindsofpeopleinthis­worldthosethatbelievethereareo­nlytwokindsofpeopleandthosetha­tdont

A society chooses to neglect and starve a child. The child is forced to steal for food. The child is wrong?

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!

[Immortaltech123]

the consequences of telling the truth can have worst effects on others and yourself rather than telling a white lie. So as you can see situational ethics is not always flaud. The right thing to do is not always tell the truth because the truth can have more of a negative effect than telling a lie.

[julieyudin]

So you feel there are circumstances that would warrant being less than honest? I know you said you stand in the middle-I'm curious?

[Alinou18]

oula c'est quoi cette video lol

[trutommo]

@ zarrion: smoking a cigar is offputting? I think it adds something actually. A cigar is a cool prop and very appropriate with the way this was shot imo.

[mosjoy]

i think you are correct and that it is better just to do the right thing because it is the right thing to do. keep up with the good videos.

[DarlingSoph]

I think it's hot

[honestview]

Good point you mentioned on admiting, it is the only way the know the depth of the flaw, the reason to change form the inside. Hope you will post a response to my You Tube page. Thanks.

[honestview]

Thank you for this. Self decision sur affects who we are. The heart matters. To add on, I feel the is society understanding of honesty. Becaue to me truth is truth, the true way is the right way is the honesty and most appropriate way. In war it would therefore be justified to lie as a strategy. This is my view. Wrong action is untruthful, dishonest(way) as it dishonour human potential and obstruct growth, but enocurages shrinkage and wayward growth.

[beachbumde]

are you using your grill as your tripod or simply multitasking?

[GilbertSmith]

I like what you say about authoritarian ethics. Punishment and reward isn't what makes right and wrong, that's consequence. I would break any law that denies my right to do what I think is right.

[zoltanpepper]

lies are in fact good things

if it werent for lies how would people ever find the truth

the way you are flawed greg

is the ignoring of the fact that there really isnt any truth in what people say as they are proclaiming their opinion based on their perspective, moral standards are dependant upon an individuals situation

in some countries children of 12 or 13 armed with machine guns defend their families from bandits

for them even to murder is not wrong

be lie live

[zoltanpepper]

little suzy is trying to learn to play the trombone

she makes awful noise but she does not know it to be awful as she has never heard someone play the trombone properly

she asks her father if she is playing well

and he says yes

is he wrong?

[DarlingSoph]

little suzy should know weather something sounds good to her own ears or not.

[dajord]

OMG! he is an idiot. He says that he knows so much about history, but the ancient Spartans tought all their males to steal, and avoid capture at all times.. I won't go into that, but the Spartans are well known in history, they are that well known that anyone with a "knowledgeable" understanding of history would know about. Piss off greg.

[gothictier]

In the ancient primative society of negros, stealing and lying are virtues.

[sloppyjoes7]

Solomon, I don't like your recent videos towards Renetto, because I don't like your pious attitude in those videos. But now I've watched this one, and I liked it very much.

[zacksmovies]

I agree VERY much about the necessity for honesty, but it is not a mainstream opinion, at least as it applies to day-to-day behaviour in modern western civilization.  I guess that may be why you made the video, though. Good job.

[EXsoldier]

You are my role model greg, your words don't lie.

[abortedsoul]

Are you for real?

[markij84]

other examples where is ok to lie entraptment of pedophiles over then internet grooming chilren its valid to tell a lie to counter a lie. Under cover police officers are habitual liars but need to be to to keep safe and bring down crime organizations.

[zoltanpepper]

the police are the crime organization

[soraya123]

Watched it 3 times cause im german so my English is not so great but i agree 100%. Great Video!!!

[evotelution]

Greg may be in fact an honest man. I might have been wrong to say he subscribed to situational ethics because he claims he did not recieve the video I sent in response to this because it paradied him. I shall keep watching him.

[markij84]

would Allah deduct him some marks for thinking for himself.(down with moral absolutism) Agree with in most situations is better to be honest but theres certain circumstances and situations i think personally that its execeptional to lie and steal for what i would say the greater good. Like the vids on you tube that make you think.

[markij84]

Not the best example another hypothetical haha but might be something that actually could happen in reality. If a child in Saudia Arabia stealing bread for nurishment to survive is it wrong for the child to steal then? then say if a fellow muslim were to go against Shari Law were to hide the child from the mob lie about it, so he doesnt get his hands chopped off?

[evotelution]

greg did not post a video of mine related to accountablity in honest because it was a parady of himself. He is subscribes to situational ethics because he only enjoys dialog when it favors his perspective.

[theREALsuperboy]

A very interesting video.

I'm subcribing, and hope that your other videos are as good and interesting as this one :)

[FellowJello]

I only disagree on one point. In tribal cultures it was considered honerable to steal (horses for instance) from tribes that were rivals. Other wise I think you are correct on this point, and I agree.

Jello

[CatchFlipsidE]

So, I'm curious. How do you define what is the "right thing to do?" Is the "right thing to do" always going to be the same from person to person? Not everyone has been taught the same code of ethics. What's right for one may not be right for another. How can you place a definitive definition on "the right thing to do?"

[GlobalHuntMan]

Well, situational ethics are such because they were never taught, but you raise a good point: There's really no such thing as an objective system of ethics.

[GlobalHuntMan]

Authoritarian ethics are, of course, subjective because they're based not on empirical observations like "the sky is blue," but subjective contrivances, and situational ethics, while not acquired through a didactic method and appearing self-evident as a result, are still also subjective because though our understanding of them is native and immediately apparent, situational ethics, as a concept, paradoxically does not represent itself in reality.

[GlobalHuntMan]

Rather, it is still a contrivance whose premises differ in their nature from authoritarian ones only in where they originate. Authoritarian premises are contrived by an outside source and assimilated from them, whereas situational premises are contrived by our genes and stored in the reptilian brain, from which they are sent to the higher-functioning portions of our brain that codify and further expound upon them.

[GlobalHuntMan]

Hence, the closest you could get to objectively defining ethics is to look at the average inherent ethical tendencies of humans and designate them the standard.

[oncehopeless]

Greg, I think the view you present on honesty is way to simplified. A little imagination will yield many potential situations were lying is necessary to meet a higher ethical or moral calling. Honesty at all costs, denies the reality of such situations. All or nothing beliefs lead to a sort of self deception.

[KobeRapedMe]

Was your camera installed onto a barbeque grill? Because that's all I saw through the reflection off your sunglass lense.

[ZanyBear]

stfu

[holyshit8888]

Because people know that he was personally responsable for lying. His face would forever be linked to that case and he would never have been taken seriously again. Its easy for CBS to back away because thay are faceless. It(CBS) is dynamic. He is, as a man, static. We all know that no man can change who thay really are.

Excuse by english. I'm Norwegian and I do not write english that well.

[holyshit8888]

Well. All in all I agree on most of your statements But I think that Dan would be seen as a liar even if he had come clean. Why?

[fndngEMO]

you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.

[gregsolomom]

Herein I detail the necessity for honesty in life and with other people...and what to do when we fall short of that honesty. I also describe the difference between authoritarian ethics and situational ethics. All the while wearing nothing, other than my shirt.

[RexMachina]

Is stealing medicine for someone who is sick unethical if there is no other way to procure it? I submit that it is not.

[geosochi]

So that was just a little comment. I do agree with your video otherwise, Greg... it makes perfect sense as do all your other videos.

[geosochi]

I'd like to comment that I do believe there histocially HAVE been societies which value stealing: for examples, the Gypsies, at least many European Gypsies have great respect for the best thieves in their community, a fact I've had confirmed many times both through reading and my own encounters. (not sure about lying... though isn't stealing practically the same as deceit/lying, only dealing with tangible things/property?)

[Jebnarf]

I agree with you one hundred percent on your honesty policy. Thank you for posting this! It has helped me to become a better person.

[offensivejerk]

lol

[Diski]

Funny how I've come into the same conclusion in my own life about these "situatonial ethics". It's been some of the biggest pains in my life when I've had to realize how I've been lied to on some very personal matters. People don't seem to get that how much impact it can have on people's life to realize that they were lied to. I can tell you, when I first found out, I felt insulted. 'Cause justifies means' is just bullshit.

[thedepths]

WRONG WRONG WRONG. There are two types of people in the world. Those who seperate people into two groups. And those that don't.

[cerdo24]

am I alone or does this guy remind anyone else of Agent Smith from the Matrix?

[calibre369]

great video!

[CrowSpirit]

Oh one last thing, I would have thought it was below people who seem so reasonable and logical to be so petty, it upsets me and makes me question my own thoughts on true intelligence and knowledge. What has "Humanity" come to, most we resort to this half presented debating style?

[CrowSpirit]

I know however that the consequence to the statement I can't handle your Ptsd may ultimatly crush her and may quite possibly push her to the brink of suicide. I've lied becuase I've weighed my options and I knew that yes my emotional torment may have been extreme but at the same time were I to lose my mother to suicide, I would surely have a much harder time with my own regretful feelings. sincerly, Crow.

[Diski]

I'm pretty your Mom would be more devastated if she accidently found your comments here how you talk about it so openly to strangers, but not a single word to her.

[CrowSpirit]

she is constantly worried about the effect it has on me, I in turn put on a strong face and tell her I'm here for her and she has nothing to worry about, even though I'm lieing and falling apart inside.

[CrowSpirit]

Excuse me Mr. Solomon, I don't mean to seem ignorant in my statement, it's not well developed, I'm still quite young and ever learning and have not developed a complex vocabulary as of yet, however I would like to say that my mother has Ptsd, she often incounters situation that she can't deal with properly...

[popp3000]

The Lonelygirl15 and Danielbeast made up drama story is better...

[jewishcow]

I think of a situation I'm sure even Mr. Solomon would find it acceptable to lie in. An evil dictator gains control of the US. He hates all women and decides to have them all killed. Mr Solomon makes his wife go into hiding, but knows exactly where she'll be. The evil dictator sends his troops round to kill Mr. Solomon's wife and ask him where she is. Does he lie and save his wife's life? Or tell the truth and let her die?

[ZincUK]

Please please PLEASE say an Agent Smith quote. You sound exactly like him.

[DrSquwark]

Greg Solomon and Zen Archer are one and the same person.Checkmate.

[TheMathGuy]

Questions of rare situations and hypothetical scenarios aside, true ethical dilemmas are rare. What most often happens is that we act (or decide to act) according to what feels comfortable to us and then because this action contradicts what our conscience is telling us to do we try to justify it to ourselves in our own mind. I think this is exactly what happened in the professor's example of lying about the circumstances of a person's death.

[TheMathGuy]

(Sorry about the double post on that last comment - I meant to reply to a comment of mine but instead created a new comment)

[TheMathGuy]

This may be hypothetical for us, but it happened to real people living in a real Nazi Germany, so I don't consider it a "trick" question. I don't think any single ethical system is perfect, and I think this example points out the flaw in moral absolutism. In the Nazi Germany situation I would lie to the S.S. men and feel completely justified in doing so. If there are moral absolutes, I don't consider them to be specific actions, but rather the principles governing one's actions. When making ...

[TheMathGuy]

... ethical judgments, one cannot be blind to the likely consequences of a certain action in the context of the given situation. To ignore this reality would be irresponsible.

[TheMathGuy]

... ethical judgments, one cannot be blind to the likely consequences of a certain action in the context of the given situation. To ignore this reality would be irresponsible.

[Pookieftw]

I've got to say I really enjoyed this video. I enjoyed the comments and discussion even more!

[preacherman777]

Excellent video. You're analysis of the problem inherent to situational ethics was spot on. I also very much agree that the best reason to do the right thing is because it's the right thing.

[Mabowle]

Regarding (I just _proved_ that I am not ZenArcher ;-) your above comments and your Videos, I find that you are a bit quick about judging the motivations and character of other people. You are entitled to your opinion, but so is everyone else. An occasional "in my opinion" in your statements would do no harm!

[Mabowle]

I just noticed that some things about my comment remained unclear: The above is directed towards GregSolomon and refers to all of his comments in this thread and not just the above two.

[CleverDjembe]

That's a straw man fallacy. The only thing that's righteous

and pretentious is you assuming you can read my mind. That

-in addition to misrepresenting your own and my position -

will end any intelligent discourse (like this one) fast. But

I hold no personal grudge.

[CleverDjembe]

Not attempting to just. dishonesty. I'm attempting to show that lying does not necessarily lead to a dishonet character. In an assessment of any situation, more things than just our rational though comes into process, eg. evolution.

[CleverDjembe]

Direct transcription of you video: "And regardless of how much spin you try to put on them with situational ethics, it does not alter the fact that lying and stealing are wrong. You can call it conscience, you can call it the sense of fair play, whatever you want to call it."

[damiangt]

Great Video, btw Zen I want answers from you!! "friend"

[Wetsuit75]

Another great video mr.solomon thanks for sharing.

[CleverDjembe]

If ethical decisions based on intuition are flawed, your main argument about honesty is flawed, because by asserting that lying and stealing are wrong and we should know it due to our sense of fair play and conscience, you're expressing a viewpoint of ethical intuitionism. And I reference Wikipedia to familiarise the reader with different concepts and to provide evidence for my claims.

[CleverDjembe]

Your are right, but TheMathGuy got me wrong. I was saying that lying and being dishonest are different things. We were talking about lying, not being dishonest, which would imply a static character trait. Let's not confuse these 2 things.

[sandlercd]

My god i feel like a cheapskate now :). Ive never really had a "good" cigar or high quality cigar. I think the highest quality cigar ive had is a grape white owil.I was at a smoke shop and i was just in aw looking at these high priced cigars in glass cases. Was pretty crazy. I usually smoke em during a nice cool day out on my deck when i wanna relax as well.

[MotorheadLives]

2:46 AM cst

[therealschattie]

Therealschattie tells the truth about defaming, stalking criminals like Bob Thompson.

Year in and year out. Being a psychopath, Bob is incapable of absorbing

lessons about honesty, ethics, morals, and integrity.

[fredastaire1]

Isolating the issue of dishonesty is useful, but it can be 'ignorable' precisely BECAUSE it may seem like a disconnected issue, an 'abstract' effect, an intellectual curiosity.

[fredastaire1]

The alliances between big business and government, the invasion of our private lives by the idolization of technology and the "new", the control of public desire by Hollywood, the inculcation of self-paralyzing 'doubt' in higher-education -- these are the general cultural and ideological mechanisms that allow dishonest practices to go on and on. My point isn't that dishonesty should be ignored, but that the significance of dishonesty is part of a larger set of problems. (cont'd)

[Czechem]

My favorite video of yours yet, lies always come back to bite you in the rear, always has and always will. You should apply for a directors account if you already haven't.

[fredastaire1]

I don't think anyone who SERIOUSLY thinks about honesty would argue against it in the way that you present it. (Some people insist on an opposing view, but I don't think they can be taken seriously.) And I wouldn't challenge your description of dishonest advertising practices. But I doubt a discussion of advertisers based upon a 'barebones' logical critique gets at the insidiousness of advertising and the implied general public disdain that advertisers have for us. (cont'd)

[kinkyinpink]

i have another question. if we are to abide by this "ideal" of living..we may be successful as a human being, but can we really be successful at life?

[Nazdrovia]

Wow. Very nice :)

[raist2]

Great Video. Isn't it interesting how even now when you don't mention or refer to ZenArcher at all in your video, his "followers" find it necessary to speak about him, as if they have something to prove; maybe because he was exposed as a fraud and liar? Something to consider.

[raist2]

Yes, after this individual himself made an Internet Saftey video, lecturing everyone and presenting himself as someone knowledgeable about the topic, when the truth is, as revealed by GregSolomon, that the individual, ZenArcher did not even follow his own rules or guidelines. This helps others by showing them ZenArcher is not a person to follow after, and perhaps that what he says should be verified independently.

[MoeLarryCurly3]

Zen Archer is no Mel Gibson. lol.

[raist2]

I see some resemblance, for example they are both exposed liars, scammers, frauds and potential cult leaders, etc.

[Climbatizecombat]

is that a cuban cigar ? I'm reporting you to CUSTOMS !

[sebroa]

Really good video, agree with you, honesty is the way. Nice to have another of your videos. I have to say also that Zen's minnions come here just to tell you how much they hate you but i wonder if they watch the video and if they do, if they understand it. Because i have found in life, people that gets hooked easy with religion or believen tend not to be the smartest.

[riace]

Good video.

[Nazdrovia]

Nice to see you back, Greg. Food for thought :)

[LoneAscender]

nice vid

[inykane]

Whenever lying or telling a partial truth one often assumes that the other doesn't need to know the "big picture" or that he or she would not be likely to do the "right thing" with the information. Sometimes this may be the case. But then you always assume full responsibility of the consequences of your lie. Sometimes that can mean damage to your integrity and reputation. There are times when I have lied, and would not hesitate to do the same thing again.

[inykane]

Though I would like to add that for the _most part_, honesty is the best policy. The second best would be, as you have suggested too, a response like "I am sorry, I can not tell you."

[JohnGBUK]

As usual Greg, an excellent presentation. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[cyman80]

Why dont you theme your next video "persecution". You know, people who may follow a person for weeks at a time attacking them and making assumptions about that person's life. Or perhaps a "stalking" video.

[cyman80]

Or obsession ofcourse. =)

[johntrim040851]

Does anyone else find it odd that the man is doing a video on honesty from behind dark glasses. One of the ways to judge a man's honesty is to look into his eyes. If the sunlite is a problem then he should have done this video indoors. The man makes some valid points but how can we tell for sure if he actualy believe what he is saying.

[Nazdrovia]

Greg probably didn't make this video indoors, because he explained he doesn't smoke in the house (note,the pipe doesn't seem to be lit during his indoor videos). During videos inside the house, he doesn't wear sunglasses. Only standard glasses, and makes eye contact constantly.Actually,his clear eye contact was something that caught my attention early on with his videos. He's seems a natural in front of a camera.

[carlos811]

You speak the truth.

[stevexcraig]

How do you feel about Bush and co. lying to the American people to get us to go to war? Do you think Bush is honest? Do you think this war is ethical?

[JamJells]

Agree with this one. Greg, your thoughts on BUSH and the current PNAC plan in motion?

[bigtimmie]

That would be a interesting topic. I am sure many would like to hear your thoughts regarding Bush and the War in Iraq.

[FreeTalkLive]

This little speech reminds me of the architect guy in the matrix. Maybe it's the cool glasses and wording.

*Nice style

[rad42]

By the by, GS, nice video to come home after work and drink a beer (or two) to.

[volkswagen128]

That's correct, do the right thing not for fear of your god, your parents or punishment but because it is the right and ethical thing to do.

[terryfic]

Being a negative utilitarian myself, I cannot agree with your assumption that honesty is always the best policy. I will agree that the example you are replying to is a little outlandish and unlikely to occur. But, if you abstract it you get a much more common and useful example; one where lying will harm you slightly, but telling the truth will harm others significantly. My belief is that minimizing the overall harm is the must important factor in such an equation even if it necessitates lying

[Furnifur]

I have lied. It hurt me and the person I lied to even though the ends justified the means. It was a situational lie. However, I told the truth to the person I lied to and was not only persecuted for the lie but I am still being persecuted by this person. All the good I have done for this person apparently never mattered and I was then slandered amongst our mutual friends. I always intened to tell the truth but did not expect the cruelty. Just had to share.

[rad42]

When you lie to a person you are telling them that you do not think that they are "strong enough to handle the truth". I think that most people lie in these circumstances with good intentions, however, I do not think that the recipient of the helpful lie has ever thanked the one lying to them.

[phaedress]

I agree with you that lying diminishes one's character. Don't forget discression though. There are times when not passing on information really IS the right thing to do. Yes, you take teh psychic hit for lyong, but you do it for a greater good, for example kindness to another.

[thedispatcher]

atleast you did not bash anyone on youtube this time

[enlightenedrocker]

I don't lie about myself. I lie about other people. I'm so amoral.

[sainter1]

Interesting tutorial on monolithic and social ethics Greg. Ultimately all ethical behaviour and opinion is dictated by the reptilian brain's commands to eat, kill, copulate, reproduce and survive. Divining what is right and wrong from THIS ancient cerebral lineage will still be going on when we're all dead and buried!! I doubt there is an absolute ethical truth but hey it keeps us out of mischief right!

[CleverDjembe]

Oh, but there is THE ULTIMATE TRUTH! and I quote: "Ultimately all ethical

behaviour and opinion is dictated by ..." OK, just kidding :) But do keep in

mind that the "reptile brain" or the brainstem cannot "think" or "behave"; it

merely controls the reflexes and automatic functions (heart rate, blood

pressure), limb movements and visceral functions (digestion, urination).

[CleverDjembe]

It

is rather the prefrontal cortex that differentiates between good and bad and

regulates our emotional impulses, fear etc. that arrive from the limbic

system. Isn't the human brain fascinating?

[VattyIntalesting]

Where can I get one of those barbecue grill tripods? Nice video.

[CleverDjembe]

1.) You're right, it's not possible to know for sure, but I ask you to consider the probability and decide upon that - do you think it's more probable than not that the SS -being Nazis - would do something harmful to the Jew? 2.) I prefer this option :)

[ateamga]

Hello Greg, I like your videos, I was even disappointed you were late from posting this one in your weekly weekend posts. However, on one of the points to your subject, you mentioned credibility. Don't you think you loose credibility when you delete questions? I asked you a question about a current event, and you immediately deleted it.

[thetimekeEper01]

Ethics are ethics my friend and thiers always dis honest people in the world and we live with it..im not saying im a liar but everybody has a human flaw and everybody is dishonest at sum point in their life..

[thetimekeEper01]

ethics are ethics my friend and everybody doesnt follow the honest code man...that is just life..we all deal with it everyday and live with it.

[chitsngiggles]

another good one.

[dbfreaked]

You brought up some intresting points i enjoyed this video. CleverDjembe's made some valid points as well as some other people, i would like to hear your veiws on there comments. Dig or not great video....

[94cr500]

Dear Greg, Since we all know, that you do not post a video unless it has a specific target (be it a group or an individual ) . Would you please, in accordance with you're own policy of honesty, tell us, to whom you are refering. Regards,

[stevejohnnycash]

Great vid GREG!

[sandlercd]

Greg i would have to say that the cigar is MUCH better than the pipe :). I prefer cheap strawberry phillies. 75. a cigar i think i think.

[CleverDjembe]

Actually, ethics are much more complicated than you make them out to be, and

an individual's ethical principles can change over time. If you stress the

importance of developing good habits of character, such as honesty, you

actually subscribe to a branch of normative ethics called "virtue theories".

But saying that "lying creates a character flaw", you are committing the

fallacy of slippery slope: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S­lippery_slope

[CleverDjembe]

And by asserting that lying and stealing are wrong and we should know it due

to our sense of fair play and conscience, you're expressing a (very

objectionable) viewpoint of ethical intuitionism

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E­thical_intuitionism but the problem is - E.I.

partially negates the need for VT, because it says we know intuitively what

is "right" and what is "wrong".

Here's some food for thought: http://www.iep.utm.edu/e/ethic­s.htm

[CleverDjembe]

Despite all this, I think we could do with more philosophical discussion on U2B, so this video is a good thing and hopefully inspires more people to think critically :D

[TheMathGuy]

I don't agree with your assertion that Greg Solomon is committing a fallacy. I believe Greg has made a valid use of the slippery slope argument here. He is not arguing that by telling a lie, a person will necessarily degenerate into an immoral monster, but only that dishonesty produces a chink in one's character. He states that telling a lie and glossing over it makes it easier for a person to tell another lie, a fact which is empirically verifiable.

[CleverDjembe]

Dishonesty produces a chink in one's character? Tell me, have you ever been lied (not been dishonest as that implies a static character trait? Is it really possible to observe what kind of chink it has made to your char.? Is it possible that eg. after telling a lie, you start to feel remorse and decide to lie less? Or that one only seldom lies "smartly" when a bigger benefit is achieved at the cost of a smaller one without becoming a more frequent liar?

[CleverDjembe]

That was to TheMathGuy. And I meant to say "have you ever lied".

[TheMathGuy]

Yes, of course it's possible that after lying a person might feel bad about it and come clean, trying to be more honest in the future, but the reason that's even necessary is because they've taken a step in the wrong direction by lying in the first place. The effect of a single lie might not be enough to produce an observable change in a person, but each lie does contribute to and reinforce a pattern of dishonesty.

[TheMathGuy]

That being said, I agree that there's a difference between lying and dishonesty. There are rare circumstances (see my comment about hiding Jews in Nazi Germany) where it is necessary and right to tell a lie. But one ought to be careful about telling lies to make a friend feel better--even if it's out of a genuine desire not to hurt another person's feelings, it reduces your credibility. If you make a habit of it, eventually people will notice and they will start questioning whether anything ...

[TheMathGuy]

... you say is really your true opinion or not.

[maltedm]

Isn't language inconsistent with meaning or intent,the words you "lie" with constitute a "way" of saying something not necessarily allied to untruth.When honesty inflicts a greater damage on the person than a "lie" (witholding of information by means of fabrication as one definition of lying) does,surely the lie,however dishonest,works in the interest of the most vulnerable party to cause the least amount of suffering.

[Scarletpimpfromhell]

I saw this video and thought of you and Zenarcher

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v­=QeVlJdS1oXU

[kaylon99]

Excellent Video! I'm looking forward for more... :-)

[artsim47]

Great summation on an old saying. One I personally had to learn the hard way. And I can tell you from experience that telling the truth might not seem best at the time it always works out better in the long run. Plus it makes you feel so much better inside.

Although I hardly ever agree with you.... This one, for me, is your best.

[ScareCrow78]

man we need more ppl in the world like you

[snouter]

Good point about who "situational ethics" hurts most.

[raist2]

Excellent.

[Mattson402]

Great video. I have a question... how do we tell if people are lying over the internet, specifically, Youtube. You pretty much outed ZenArcher... but how do I know you're not a phony? You provided no references so for all I know this could be a lie. W/e, guess I got some crap to google now.

[raist2]

Basically you should approach everyone on the internet skeptically, take each thing they say and evaluate it through your own research and knowledge. ZenArcher hung himself, which is common; he told so many lies he caught himself when they contradicted. Greg does provide proof; for example, the screencaps in the ZenArcher videos.

[raist2]

Also, in the televangelist videos, the cases and scammers he names can be verified through google, news, etc. I'm sure he would encourage you to do your own fact checking and come to your own conclusions.

[Mattson402]

I just spent an hour researching ethics... everything he said checks out. I really appreciate Greg's videos because I learn interesting things I never intended on learning about. I spent like two hours reading televangelists after his las videos.

[karaokemac]

Nice to see you back sire ! dont let the kackasses get you down !