The+Political+Philosophy+of+Deception+Types+and+Consequences+of+Political+Lying

POLS2102 Week 2: Types and Consequences of Lying A. The Perniciousness of Lying Why do all societies need some truth? Can you think of societies that are rotten with deceit or flourishing with truth? If trust is a social good to be protected, how would you rate the reserves in Australia? Why does Bok say that lying is pernicious from the perspective of the deceived and the liar? What sorts of harm do benevolent liars tend to forget 6a? Provide examples. Do you agree with Bok and Aristotle that lying is ‘mean and culpable’? Can one lie in politics with impunity? Should lies be used as a last resort in politics or should they be ruled out all together? 9a B. Lying in International Politics Assess and provide your own examples of the four types of lying in international relations according to Mearsheimer. Why is fear mongering in his view the worst? Why is fear mongering more likely in democracies 16a? Do you agree? Use this framework to assess the causes and consequences of Australian Foreign Policy since 2001. C. Plato’s Cave and Australian Politics Is Plato’s Cave an accurate allegory for political life? Can you think of some applications for the allegory? Do you agree that most people prefer to play with shadows than seek the light? What would you do if you were permitted into the cave? Would you be an enlightener or a puppeteer? In the Kelly article Hugh White argues that the Howard government did not lie about the invasion of Iraq and WMD but did lie during the Children Overboard affair. Do you agree and does it matter? Assess the Howard government in terms of its deceptions concerning war, leadership and election promises. How do you think the Rudd government will fair in terms of honesty and ethics?