Yesterday I had some light reading with the book “A Brief History of Lies“. The most delicious part to me is when the author talked about genres of lies, and below are the genres I think is insightful:
- Ambiguity: This is a deliberate attempt to mislead through the misuse of logic and the misuse of a talent for oratory. Syllogisms can be misused in this way. It is also a mainstay of comedy, where we can recognize it instantly, but sometimes we fail to recognize it as lying elsewhere.
- Brazen: A brazen lie is one which is told when it is obvious to the theller and to those a child who has chocolate all around his mouth who denies that he has eaten any chocolate is brazen liar.
- Fabrication: is saying something without actually knowing whether or not it is true.
- Hoax: Anything that happens for April 1st reasons.
- Jargonese: It is the same today in India where the law is in English while the majority of the population don’t read in English. This lack of understanding is devised to support those ‘in-the-know’ and extends to many spheres of activitiy beyond the law.
- Noble: A noble lie would normally cause discord if it were uncovered, but it assists the community when it is given. It maintains law and other which helps the rulers.
- Pathological: According to recent studies people who exhibit this condition have brains incapable of differentiating between the truth and fiction because of the way their synapses are connecting in the front of their brains.
- Perjury: A crime. Making verifiably false statements on a material matter under oath of affirmation in a court of law, or in any of various sworn statements in writing.
- Propaganda: Information is always propagandist and contains bias bt sometimes this bias is intended. Advertisements are an obvious example.
- Vindictive: These are aimed at harming someone, a group, organization or country. Whilst thought among the worst kind of lies, lies given to one’s lover are considered worse, at least by the lover.
- White: A white lie would cause no argument if it were found out. They avoid giving offence, such as complimenting something one finds unattractive. But be careful, a white lie in one culture may be perjury in another.
