Waarom Je Nóóit Moet Liegen (2012) - Plot & Excerpts
Harris seems to have ignored the fact that lying is so pervasive among humans that one could make the argument that we have evolved to do so, that deception is essential to our survival as individuals and as a species. Even Harris is not pure in his views on lying. There is a distinct undertone in this book that says, "Honesty is the best policy ... unless it's not." And the best response to a given situation is not always truth, but evasion.The best lesson I've learned from this book is to lie less, but always telling the absolute truth is neither possible nor desirable. This is a short essay about lying and its implications. The book has many short comings in my opinion and it could have been written much better and I wish it was longer; I wish it could have been developed into a proper book. There are so many things left unexplained and premises unproven, yet the subject is interesting. The writer basically argues that is is almost always bad to lie, except in very very rare cases that would probably never happen in the course of the lifetime of the average individual. The premise is that lying is consequentially counter productive. The whole argument is based on consequential-ism and the fact that morality is an important factor; yet no argument is provided to support the importance of morality. Although, the the writer never tries to argue about lying from an epistemological stance and also severely criticized the work of Kant on the problem of lying.It is assumed that we are somehow obligated to share with others the realities of the world! When people ask you to provide them with a perception (your belief or understanding of the world) the simple act of their request of you burdens you to tell the truth and you become responsible for the consequences of their actions based on your perception. These ideas, too, are never discussed in detail and no argument is provided to support them. I'm not convinced how this burden is justified. I agree with most of what this book has to say, but I feel Sam Harris takes this ideology too far to a point that it cannot be supported; it becomes weak, simplified and terribly impractical.
What do You think about Waarom Je Nóóit Moet Liegen (2012)?
Succinct and to the point. Easy to understand. Pretty sure I won't be telling any more lies.
—everlastingpeace
