Review by Choice Review
In this philosophical exploration of the ethics of deception, Nyberg argues strongly against the conventional wisdom that deception is presumptively wrong--the view articulated by, for example, Sissela Bok in Lying: Moral Choice in Public and Private Life (CH, Nov'78). It is Nyberg's contention that not only has truth-telling been highly overrated, but that "some deception and self-deception are necessary both to social stability and to individual mental health." After a short introductory chapter surveying various "theories of truth," which this reviewer found to be so grossly oversimplified as to be almost useless, Nyberg makes an interesting and rigorous case. Overall the book is well organized and clearly written, completely free of philosophical jargon. The breadth of references is very impressive and is reflected in good footnotes and bibliography. Accessible and appealing to a wide group of readers. Highly recommended. R. B. Scott Jr.; William Woods College
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
Challenging deeply ingrained habits of thinking, Nyberg (philosophy of education, SUNY-Buffalo) proposes that deception is ``an essential component of our ability to organize and shape the world.'' He draws examples from everyday situations and literature to support his thesis that total honesty--telling the complete truth to everyone on every occasion--can damage interpersonal relationships. ``Edited truth'' is frequently necessary to preserve propriety and good will in both work-related and personal situations, he argues; children must be taught that unbridled truthfulness can be as harmful as blatant lying, and a degree of self-deception may even be vital to good mental health. Nyberg acknowledges, however, the ever-present danger of crossing the fine line separating imprecise truth from harmful deceit. Well written, entertaining, and provocative, this book is highly recommended for general collections.-- Carol R. Glatt, VA Medical Ctr. Lib., Philadelphia (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Is truth-telling morally overrated? Is deception a ``normal...attribute of practical intelligence?'' In this provocative, original work, Nyberg (Philosophy of Education/SUNY at Buffalo) looks at the moral and logical complexity of deception. Contending that deception and self-deception are necessary to social stability and individual mental health, Nyberg suggests that intentional deceit--white lies, selective omissions, even conscious silences--can be creative and compassionate alternatives to stark truth-telling. Unlike Sissela Bok's Lying (1978), which he finds limited by its abstract theoretical approach, Nyberg's study concentrates on deception in context--between friends, while raising children, in court cases--and emphasizes the importance of coherent interpretation of ultimate outcome over adherence to a single principle. Should you tell a dying novelist that his latest work is not up to snuff, or an especially jealous wife the details of affairs carried on before the marriage? For the most part, Nyberg uses everyday behavior or literary example to highlight the issues as, in sharp, deft sentences, he cuts to the heart of the matter: ``To live decently with one another, we do not need moral purity, we need discretion''; ``What does a child need before sleep, reality or comfort?''; ``Sometimes the truth does not set you free; it destroys the sense of freedom that hope provides.'' Moving from legal ethics to receptive aphasics responding to a Reagan speech, from The Hedgehog and the Fox to Honest Andrew, this isn't philosophy-made-simple but a spirited, accessible challenge to basic assumptions about what constitutes moral conduct.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
Review by Library Journal Review
Review by Kirkus Book Review
