Exaggeration And Lying

Discussion in 'Philosophy & Psychology' started by Frank Sanoica, Oct 10, 2018.

  1. Frank Sanoica

    Frank Sanoica Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2016
    Messages:
    9,297
    Likes Received:
    10,619
    When does one sense a tale, fact, or other wisdom being told as bordering on exaggeration, and when should one suspect it's beyond that: lying?

    "Your car could never keep up with mine; I just had it up to 130mph!"

    You know it's exaggerated. Would you define it as lying?

    Far more important comparisons may be introduced, but safe to say, the idea is understood.

    Do you ever quietly weigh others' admonitions, claims, etc., quietly and privately? Have you openly expressed doubt? Ever call anyone an out and out liar?

    Frank
     
    #1
  2. Bobby Cole

    Bobby Cole Supreme Member
    Task Force Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2015
    Messages:
    13,054
    Likes Received:
    24,627
    I am stronger than a bull.
    Of course I'm not stronger than a bull and to say so would be a mass exaggeration. Perhaps the friendlier terminology to use in this case might be hyperbole for indeed, hyperbole is noted as being understood that a stretching of the truth is in use.

    Now if I say, I shot a hole in one on each hole of an 18 hole course on my first try at golf, it would be a lie especially if I intended for it to be accepted for the truth. And yes, I do believe that in a conversation or two I have indeed called Kim Jong Un a liar for saying that he did accomplish such a feat.
    Now, have I gone face to face with someone and called them a liar?.....Yes but most of the time no. I have used the word prevaricator rather than liar because after all, most lies are more toward the ambiguous nature of man which is common in my surroundings.

    I believe that it's a matter of intent...…….
     
    #2
  3. Frank Sanoica

    Frank Sanoica Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2016
    Messages:
    9,297
    Likes Received:
    10,619
    @Bobby Cole "....most lies are more toward the ambiguous nature of man which is common in my surroundings. "

    Exquisitely said, to be sure. Until the above was encountered, at which point pause was taken to consider, then re-read, consider more, then re-re-read........many directions are opened...."most lies".... , committed by whom, yourself or another? ....."are more toward".... , aimed at? ......."ambiguous nature of man,.........is common in my surroundings".

    You are surrounded by men of ambiguous nature?

    Eureka!! Finally! Hit by a sledgehammer!

    You are actually a lawyer!

    Frank
     
    #3
  4. Beatrice Taylor

    Beatrice Taylor Veteran Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2018
    Messages:
    879
    Likes Received:
    2,093
    “Never let the truth get in the way of a good story.”- Mark Twain
     
    #4
  5. Holly Saunders

    Holly Saunders Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Nov 16, 2015
    Messages:
    51,949
    Likes Received:
    17,919
    Oh yes, I do call people out when I think they're lying. Not usually on forums, because it's just too complicated knowing the reasons why..but I have my suspicions all the same... but in RL...I don't stand for lying..I hate it, and I'm not afraid to call people out on it...
     
    #5
  6. Thomas Stearn

    Thomas Stearn Veteran Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2018
    Messages:
    2,690
    Likes Received:
    2,530
    We all know the difference between white, grey, and black lies. For me, the context tells me whether I'd rate something as a lie. Actually, only black lies matter. Depending on the context, some grey ones may as well. White lies would even be necessary in order to oil the machinery of human relationships. Yet in most cases I'm not told blunt lies but half-truths and exaggerations which are used to make oneself heard or to spare them the brutality of the true story.
    So there's very rarely the necessity to call one a liar. I extremely rarely blame someone for arranging the facts as they see fit simply because it is not important enough in most cases. I may correct them with a knowing wink, though, if I'm in the mood.
     
    #6
  7. Cody Fousnaugh

    Cody Fousnaugh Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2015
    Messages:
    12,751
    Likes Received:
    8,743
    Thing is, joking around can be seen by some as lying. A person can have a very serious look in their face, say something, then say "I was only joking".

    If a person confronts another about lying, a family member or even a friend, it could turn our disastrous. Even if a person is lying about something, they will have a very hard time being called a liar.

    I've ran into so-called "nightclub cowboys" who told me they were rodeo ropers, but when I asked them the brand of rope they used and/or if they were a "header" or "heeler", they would turn and walk away from me. I knew they were lying and just wanted to be a part of the sport, but, what they didn't know was...…….I was an actual rodeo roper. I never confronted them about what they didn't know or said, "confess dude, you're not a roper", I just let it go.
     
    #7
  8. Babs Hunt

    Babs Hunt Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2016
    Messages:
    8,565
    Likes Received:
    12,083
    I hate lying too...and if I know someone is lying to me I don't hesitate to call them on it either.

    I think some people do like to exaggerate (isn't that what most of our News media is doing along with lying)..maybe it makes them feel more important to do this...it just makes me think they are bragging about nothing.

    Exaggeration doesn't bother me..lying I can't stand!
     
    #8
  9. Ken Anderson

    Ken Anderson Senior Staff
    Staff Member Senior Staff Greeter Task Force Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2015
    Messages:
    24,327
    Likes Received:
    42,630
    I have never lied.
     
    #9
  10. Holly Saunders

    Holly Saunders Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Nov 16, 2015
    Messages:
    51,949
    Likes Received:
    17,919
    #10
    Lois Winters and Bobby Cole like this.
  11. Holly Saunders

    Holly Saunders Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Nov 16, 2015
    Messages:
    51,949
    Likes Received:
    17,919
    Is that a Lie?>.. :rolleyes:
     
    #11
    Lois Winters likes this.
  12. Babs Hunt

    Babs Hunt Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2016
    Messages:
    8,565
    Likes Received:
    12,083
    Now you know that's a lie Ken! :)
     
    #12
    Holly Saunders likes this.
  13. Beatrice Taylor

    Beatrice Taylor Veteran Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2018
    Messages:
    879
    Likes Received:
    2,093
    I try not to lie but I do tend to leave out a lot of the details.
     
    #13
  14. Holly Saunders

    Holly Saunders Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Nov 16, 2015
    Messages:
    51,949
    Likes Received:
    17,919
    Lying by omission that's called.... I have to admit to doing that myself a little bit...

    What people don't know won't hurt them... ;)
     
    #14
  15. Cody Fousnaugh

    Cody Fousnaugh Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2015
    Messages:
    12,751
    Likes Received:
    8,743
    Me neither!:D
     
    #15

Share This Page