Truth Telling

Truth telling refers to the communication of complete and accurate information to another individual or group of individuals. Telling the truth is generally considered to be a positive act, often associated with character traits of honesty and [Page 3448]integrity. Most human interactions involve the communication of information in some fashion, and if asked, we would state that we would like others to be “honest” and “tell the truth.” When engaging in interactions with others, human beings rely on truth telling as a fundamental element in determining the outcome of the interaction, relationship, and the larger fabric of society. These determinations are largely based on the value and protection of trust as a social good. It would be hard to maintain relationships as the foundation of ...