Comments on: Why We Lie: A Surprisingly Simple Way to Spur Greater Honesty

By: PetrusJKruger

PetrusJKruger — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 12:32:37 +0000

In reply to Laura. Hi Laura, perhaps that seemed a little ambigious, but I understood it differently. I understood it as a comment that the kids had just attended a class which upheld a specific set of morals as standard, which included "Thou shalt not lie." Yet immediately after that class, they did not hold up that standard themselves. I agree 100% with you that high morals don't necesitate religious beliefs. Obviously, religious beliefs don't seem to necesitate morals either, though it is supposed to if that religion should be considered authentic.

By: PetrusJKruger

PetrusJKruger — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 14:17:51 +0000

In reply to josephgrenny.

Again, this has been an immensely compelling video. I do my best to share them wherever I can.

As a matter of interest, have you ever done research on approachability? Kumar’s question made me wonder about that, because sometimes we tend to tell lies, or half truths, because we are afraid to violate that person’s expectations.

For example, I am doing a master’s degree in engineering. Sometimes my study leaders violate my expectations during a crucial moment by their reaction to my suggestion or comment. Even though I am unhappy about this, I tend to act like everything is perfectly fine (lying) because I no longer have the confidence to approach them about my concerns. In the end, this also affects my work negatively.

By: Laura

Laura — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 18:22:18 +0000

This excerpt “And ironically, many of these kids had recently attended a Bible study class!” Didn’t sit well with me. It feels like the message is that if you don’t go to church or believe in God then you don’t have the same moral standards as those who do. You can have strong morals regardless of your religious beliefs.

By: Steve Acevedo

Steve Acevedo — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 20:30:52 +0000

This article is an excellent example of why I follow you guys. Outstanding information! You’re informative, precise, and inspiring. Thanks for the continual, interesting, and relevant insights into topics that affect us all in our everyday lives.

By: Karen

Karen — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 22:55:47 +0000

When watching the Why Do We Lie video, I noticed that the kid shown from the first group appeared to be alone when he played the game. In the portion showing the second group, several kids were tossing their bean bags at the same time. If the video represented the actual experiment, you introduced a new variable in the second half that could have impacted the outcome. Accountability. There is less opportunity for cheating and lying with others present. Also, changing the conditions of the experiment spoils the results.

By: HDO

HDO — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 11:56:22 +0000

I see your point but I disagree. Yes you can encourage people to do the right thing: put a bug in their ear so to speak, but their “natural” morals have been set by that age, by how they were raised. If they are taught very early that lying is ok or not, they will continue down that path. Unfortunately with all the political correctness now, you can’t discipline kids or tell them they are wrong. It’s sad.

By: josephgrenny

josephgrenny — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 02:40:32 +0000

In reply to Karen Bennett. Absolutely not! I would hope that connecting with sacred texts connects us with our deepest values. It certainly does for me.

By: Grateful

Grateful — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 21:44:40 +0000

Great Article! As an adult who constantly analyzes my self, my kids, and my employees. I’ve recognized this phenomenon, but didn’t have a simple way of going about addressing it. I’ll give this a shot. Thanks!

By: Morally Awake

Morally Awake — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 17:46:49 +0000

Great article! Timely for me because my husband and I were just talking about this very issue! I personally “lied” yesterday in a conference with my priest! I got so involved in the energy of the conversation and uplifting him and our parish that I said things I didn’t mean….were not true! I left thinking I need to go back and tell him the “truth”! I wanted to be nice and so I lied! I find myself adding “more” when in conversation…fudging with the numbers and facts to make the interaction more——
Well, your article tells me why:):):) Also, by creating the environment of being morally awake you make it safe and acceptable.
Good to know! This will help me in my work with high schoolers as well:)
Thank you:) Can’t wait for the next article and video:)

By: Karen Bennett

Karen Bennett — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 17:24:24 +0000

“Eighty percent of the subjects lied. Some of them lied by more than 200 percent. And ironically, many of these kids had recently attended a Bible study class!”
I’m hoping this isn’t a shot at if you went to a Bible Study Class that exempts all persons from lying. Not so as there are unfortunate social situations that students in particular are tying to fit into. Not ideal, lying is not encouraged in a Bible class and or Bible teaching churches.