Why Be Honest? by Ben Bayer

We live in an age in which fabricated stories pulse through social media, fashionable startup companies are founded on swindles and, of course, politicians of all stripes routinely lie. Whatever happened to the idea that honesty is the best policy? Most people would recognize honesty as an obvious example of a moral virtue, but the idea of being honest on principle strikes many people as a burdensome duty they owe to other people, which is sometimes too impractical to stick to consistently.

Is honesty really just a duty we owe to others? What does it mean to be honest and why should we bother being honest at all?

Join Ben Bayer to explore one of life’s big questions: Why be honest?

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[topol]

Ben Bayer for president. The best ARI webinar so far in light of what is going on in congress.

[topol]

Certain politicians and a large number of citizens could this webinar. Good job Ben.

[clairerobsin]

'Honesty/Rationality' is One of 5 Primary Virtues necessary to Live one's Life as a fully functioning Human Being. The other 4 are, in no particular order: Justice, Integrity, Productivity and Pride

[Elixziyiel]

When the truth offends, we lie and lie until we can no longer remember it is even there. But it is still there. Every lie we tell incurs a debt to the truth. Sooner or later, that debt is paid.--Craig Mazin, Chernobyl

[topol]

Thank you ARI and Ben Bayer for the webinars. The webinars supplement what i read. Any reason why you went to weekdays instead of keeping them on weekends?

[stevenmazur]

Honesty is a value based on reciprocity. We have zero obligation to be honest with people who are dishonest with us. Lying itself is an important skill and historically, ALL of western civilization was saved by the lies of Pericles.
Being honest with people is a gesture of respect and the meaning of honesty is diluted if you are honest indiscriminately. Just being honest with everyone about everything would only lead to immoral people using your own virtues against you.

[newvika]

But in this times it feels like the general public do not get affected is something is true or false, it takes to be deceived like something normal. So being dishonest in this time do not have big implications.

[NowisEvollovetion]

In our society we regularly say “to be honest with you” or “to tell you the truth”. Both statements which actually point to the fact that we are generally dishonest. I mean, why else would you need to point out that you are currently being honest, if you are not generally dishonest?

[jaydloe]

What about if I lie in a job interview claiming to have a skill/experience I don't, but know that if im hired im capable of learning it in the interim or even on the job? So here I would have told an initial lie but was able to deliver on what was promised.

[NowisEvollovetion]

There is in fact only one real reason to be honest. And, that is because all forms of dishonesty are in fact 'circular' in nature. A truth, that in turn points to the fact that every act of dishonesty, actually has built into it. The very set of circumstances that will in time bring an end to it. That will eventually destroy it, in other words. Now, as all forms of dishonesty are in fact circular. So, in turn must honesty be 'straight'. Hence exactly why, when a criminal decides to change his dishonest ways. He is described to be 'going straight'. So ok. Once you do realise that dishonesty is in fact circular. And, that each act of dishonesty does in fact come with its own built in punishment. Well, it then makes you realise that you are never really ever going to get away with anything. That in some way or other, you will eventually pay for every crime you commit. Without exception. So why even bother. Andy.

[peggyfranzen]

Why not? Isn't that point of consciousness?