1. White Lies Constance Jiang CS301 Spring 2010

2. Overview  “White lie” – a lie told or information withheld with good intention  Is it okay to tell a “white lie”?

3. Example: 2012 Withheld information  Consequentialism: The white lie benefits the most people.  Virtue Theory: A good person does not lie.  Deontology: There are no laws that dictate the correct action in this situation.

4. Example: Enders Game An outright lie  Precocious children control real soldiers to fight wars via a computer but are told they are only playing a video game.  Consequentialism: The white lie benefits the most people.  Virtue Theory: A good person does not lie.  Deontology: There are no laws that dictate the correct action in this situation.

5. Conclusions  The results are the same in both cases.  Utilitarian: More people benefit if the white lie is told.  Virtue Theory: It is wrong to lie.  Deontology: There are no laws dictating the correct action in such a situation.