Definition
Lies in Extremis refer to deceptions used in life-threatening or highly dangerous situations (e.g., lying to a murderer at the door). While most ethical systems (except strict Kantianism) justify lying in these rare cases, it is often viewed as a “last resort” that signifies the person to be deceived is dangerous and unreachable by truth.
Why It Matters
Is honesty always a virtue when lives are at stake? Exploring the “lie in extremis” (like lying to a murderer at the door) forces us to confront the boundaries of ethics and the hierarchy of values that govern human survival.
Core Concepts
- Ethical Incoherence of Total Prohibition: If it is appropriate to use physical force (even lethal force) in self-defense, it is logically inconsistent to prohibit the use of a lie (a lesser force) in the same circumstances.
- The Shift of Burden: Lying to a dangerous person (e.g., telling a murderer the victim went down the street) often merely shifts the burden of combating that evil onto someone else. It solves the immediate problem for the liar but may create a worse problem for the community.
- Closure of Opportunity: Even in extreme cases, lying often closes the door to acts of honest communication that might be more effective or transformative.
- The Customs Officer Paradox: Honesty in situations where one is expected to conceal information (e.g., admitting drug use to a customs officer) can create unique channels of communication and trust, often leading to more gratifying human exchanges.