21.05.2018 |
magazine issue | 05/2018
written by Janina Steinmetz & Ann-Christin Posten
White lies and black lies: What they have in common and how they differ
keywords:
Affiliation / Exploitation / Deception / Lying
White lies and black lies: What they have in common and how they differ
Black lies, or telling a lie to gain a personal benefit, are universally condemned. In contrast, white lies, or telling a lie to please another person, are seen as an innocent part of everyday interactions. Does that mean that white lies have no negative consequences? We discuss the origins and consequences of black lies and white lies, and point out the potentially ugly side of white lies.