Immor(t)ality of Lying

Why does an act of “Lying” induce “Guilt” if on an average, a person resorts to telling at least two lies a day? Lying is pervasive in our lives or otherwise why should polygraph experts exist, and, why should Lie-Scores be incorporated in research- methodology?

The act necessitates the brain to shoulder cognitive load imposed by it due to many simultaneous demands associated with watching one’s own deception network, to avoid detection and inconsistency. If one is further gifted with a good memory, then it buttresses the information processing to validate past fibs. As an inference, one needs “intelligence” to sustain it!

Lying is rampant in all social intercourses & relationships, markedly evident between a teenage off springs and parents. DSM-5 does not label it as a disorder in itself, but tendency to fib can be a manifestation of a mental disorder.

Lying is also an acceptable necessity in occupations of lawyers and doctors to suit the purpose of their clients and patients. Romantic partners and spouses randomly lie on past relationships and in their recent indiscretions.

With rampant usage, one really cannot conclude the act of ‘lying’ as a distinctive wrong but can be construed merely as a verbal deception, with a purpose. A little bit of dishonesty by an act of lying perhaps provides a flavour to life without disturbing the positive “self-view”.

It would be interesting to know your HONEST views on the subject!