This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1915 Excerpt: ..."We may, as in the case of benevolence, distinguish two phases of veracity: a negative side and a positive side. The former, corresponding to justice, is expressed by the formula of duty: Thou shalt not lie; the latter, corresponding to love of neighbor, is expressed by the formula of duty: Serve thy neighbor with the ...
Read More
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1915 Excerpt: ..."We may, as in the case of benevolence, distinguish two phases of veracity: a negative side and a positive side. The former, corresponding to justice, is expressed by the formula of duty: Thou shalt not lie; the latter, corresponding to love of neighbor, is expressed by the formula of duty: Serve thy neighbor with the truth." "Let us first discuss the negative side." "To lie, as we are accustomed to define it, means willingly and wittingly to tell an untruth in order to deceive others. Perhaps it will not be unnecessary to make the definition a little narrower by taking account of the fact that falsehood sometimes shelters itself behind formal excuses. In the first place, of course, words, be they spoken or written, are not essential to falsehood. We can lie without words, by acts and gestures, or even by keeping silent. An absent one is slandered in your presence; you know that what is said is not true, but you have not the courage to contradict it; so you are silent, or smile knowingly. That is lying. Or you wish an evil report concerning a third party to be circulated, but you are not willing to shoulder the responsibility, and so you begin: 'Have you heard what is being said of so-and-so?' The newspapers, as well as gossiping women, are in the habit of lying in this way: 'It is said '; 'In circles which are usually well informed it is rumored.'" "Equivocation is another favorite trick of the liar. L. Schmidt gives a few examples from Greek life: The Locrians made a compact with the Sicilians, and swore that they would keep it as long as they trod the same earth and car nage 664. ried their heads upon their shoulders. Previously, however, they had put earth in their shoes, and had placed garlic heads upon their shoulder...
Read Less
