A Philosophy of Lying

Svendsen writes for a popular audience, offering an engaging introduction to philosophical thought on the nature and ethics of lying … Svendsen’s examples are vivid and his writing is both animated and accessible – a credit to the translator, Matt Bagguley, as well. Some of the analysis is quite contentious, and readers may find that their intuitions about cases do not align with those of the author, but working out why is part of the fun of engaging with work in practical ethics such as this. We come to moral philosophy for guidance, but also, perhaps, stimulation: an opportunity for thought and friction. * TLS *Whether and under what circumstances lying is permissible has long been a litmus test for evaluating normative ethical theories. To that end, the history of philosophy – from Plato to Augustine to Kant to Bernard Williams and beyond – is replete with discussions of lying and deception. In this brief survey of the topic, Svendsen distills major theories about lying into a sort of guide to understanding lying and deception in everyday life … A succinct introduction for the uninitiated. Recommended. * Choice *“It is better to be fooled occasionally than to go through life with … chronic distrust,” writes philosopher Svendsen in this clever take on lying and telling the truth … And though people can be dishonest, Svendsen remains hopeful that serial lying is an anomaly. His reflections are nuanced, his conclusions smart, and he keeps things free of academic jargon. Philosophy-minded readers will find this an enjoyable and enlightening study. * Publishers Weekly *

What are we to do if we confront lying honestly? … Svendsen gives us ready access to the thought of the best and brightest in the philosophical tradition, and he does so with wit, charm, and clarity. But he gives us more than that. He offers considerate advice on questions of utmost importance to living well in a world where lying is a fact.

Lars Svendsen is Professor in the Department of Philosophy, University of Bergen, Norway. He is the author of many books including A Philosophy of Boredom (2004) and A Philosophy of Loneliness (2017).