Lying: Moral Choice in Public and Private Life (Paperback)

by Sissela Bok (Author) "Is it not naive to set forth on a general exploration of lying and truth-telling?..." (more)
Key Phrases: crude utilitarian principle, deceptive studies, paternalistic deception, Deceptive Social Science Research, United States, President Johnson (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A thoughtful addition to the growing debate over public and private morality. Looks at lying and deception in law, family, medicine, government.

From the Inside Flap
A thoughtful addition to the growing debate over public and private morality. Looks at lying and deception in law, family, medicine, government.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Vintage; Updated edition (September 14, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375705287
• ISBN-13: 978-0375705281
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #56,471 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking arguments on moral erosion and lying, January 25, 1998

By	Brian Pawlowski (Palo Alto, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Lying: Moral Choice in Public and Private Life (Paperback)

I found this book thought provoking. Through references, contrasts, and scenarios, Sissela Bok challenges the reader to consider the effects of lying on the individual, relationships and society. The author systematically covers the spectrum of lies from "little white lies" to avoid an unwanted dinner invitation to the arguably moral lies required to survive in a totalitarian state - taking the reader step by step through a journey of increasingly complex moral questions. The book argues that lying, as it is often conducted in society, often lacks the moral basis of those few case where it can be justified.

26 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Little White Lies, June 21, 2000

By	Christopher Cooper (Carrollton, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

Can any lie be justifiable? Is it ok for a Doctor to lie to a patient, or is it ok for a person to lie - to get out of a date? These scenerios are examined in _Lying_. Bok examines the effects that lying has upon society and individuals.

It is rare to read a book, where the author is critical of society because of thier choice to allow and accept little white lies as normal behavior. After finishing this book, the reader can take this information and begin to think of ethical and moral problems in our society and why we accept certain actions.

Bok continued choice to tackle ethical issues is a noteworthy endeavor - especially when she writes quality work such as _Lying_.

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A seminal book that changed my life, May 12, 1998

By	[e-mail] "erictheread" (Vermont) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lying: Moral Choice in Public and Private Life (Paperback)

This book is about something we all do but rarely think about - lying. It is densely packed, hard to get through but well worth the effort. It changed the way I thought about lying and told lies, and therefore my life.

Even its structure of the discussion about lying around started me thinking in new ways about the topic. The analysis presented was organized and orderly on a topic that deals with much of human interaction.

This book is a must read - you will lie less after reading it.