Lying, secrecy & privacy

Summary: The moral command not to lie is among the simplest of all moral imperatives. Yet its counterpart, to tell the truth, is a subtle and complicated philosophical topic. Truth-telling is usually viewed as a prima facie duty-a duty "on first sight" which may be overruled by other prima facie duties, such as reparation, justice, gratitude, non-maleficence, beneficence, and self-improvement. The philosopher Sissela Bok defines a lie as "any intentionally deceptive message which is stated." However, non-disclosure may also be a lie if it's intentionally deceptive. Secrecy is sometimes a way of forming a special bond with another person or group; it may be a group strategy to secure power, prestige, or profit. The right to privacy is fundamentally in tension with the right to know--just as private affairs are in tension with public affairs.