|
Would you accept a lie if it's supposed to be for your own good? When The Sunlight Is No More tells a story of a group of Benefactors who deemed it acceptable.
But would it be acceptable anymore when you know the truth? |
"To lie is so vile, that even if it were in speaking well of godly things it would take off something from God's grace; and Truth is so excellent, that if it praises but small things they become noble."
Leonardo da Vinci, Notebooks
The vault doors closed unceremoniously under the gaze of thousands. The sound of the heavy machinery could still be heard for a few moments but people turned away from the massive gates. On the platform stood several men whose faces everybody knew.
“Ladies and gentlemen, our benefactor…” the sounds of applause drowned anything else the announcer wanted to say so he retreated.
The man that came up to the podium, without saying a single word, had the undivided attention of everyone.
“It was only a year ago that our astronomers discovered the phenomenon that changed our lives so profoundly. Within a month every man, woman or child in the world could see it growing in our sky. The Spot became the focus of our world. But while governments panicked, cults formed and millions simply stood in futile amazement we decided to take action. As darkness filled the lands we stood as one ensuring our future.
The nuclear reactors, the hydroponic gardens, the heat gatherers… none of these would be capable of ensuring our survival alone. Together they all form this facility. It is the culmination of our efforts and every person in this room should be proud of their contribution to it.
So I ask you all not to dwell on what we’ve left behind. We place this seal to protect our future from the frozen wastes… a future that I promise we will forge together.”
As the man retreated from the podium the sound of applause was drowned by the sound of machinery welding huge sets of obsidian-like plates onto the vault doors.
Backstage ten agents had restrained a researcher stopping him from reaching the podium.
“Why didn’t you tell them?… You all take pride in your policy of building our future together but you don’t even tell them the truth.”
“Take him back to Section 5 and keep him there.”
“Why didn’t you tell them? Why didn’t you tell them the Spot is artificial?”
“Ladies and gentlemen, our benefactor…” the sounds of applause drowned anything else the announcer wanted to say so he retreated.
The man that came up to the podium, without saying a single word, had the undivided attention of everyone.
“It was only a year ago that our astronomers discovered the phenomenon that changed our lives so profoundly. Within a month every man, woman or child in the world could see it growing in our sky. The Spot became the focus of our world. But while governments panicked, cults formed and millions simply stood in futile amazement we decided to take action. As darkness filled the lands we stood as one ensuring our future.
The nuclear reactors, the hydroponic gardens, the heat gatherers… none of these would be capable of ensuring our survival alone. Together they all form this facility. It is the culmination of our efforts and every person in this room should be proud of their contribution to it.
So I ask you all not to dwell on what we’ve left behind. We place this seal to protect our future from the frozen wastes… a future that I promise we will forge together.”
As the man retreated from the podium the sound of applause was drowned by the sound of machinery welding huge sets of obsidian-like plates onto the vault doors.
Backstage ten agents had restrained a researcher stopping him from reaching the podium.
“Why didn’t you tell them?… You all take pride in your policy of building our future together but you don’t even tell them the truth.”
“Take him back to Section 5 and keep him there.”
“Why didn’t you tell them? Why didn’t you tell them the Spot is artificial?”
Ponder this
Why did the Benefactors lie to the people? What motivations can there be? Are their motivations noble, or personal? Can they be mistaken?
Would you accept the Benefactors' lies?
Discuss
Would it be okay to lie if it's supposed to be for the "greater good"? Who determines what is the "greater good"? Would one person's definition of "greater good" be the same as everyone else's? Why would it be detrimental if it isn't? Do we have examples of these?
Further readings
The Noble Lie, a concept created by Plato to describe a way to ensure social stability in his utopian city described in his work "Republic".
Paternalism, a behavior by an organization or state that limits some person or group's liberty or autonomy for what is presumed to be that person's or group's own good.
