The Varnished Truth: Truth Telling and Deceiving in Ordinary Life

by David A. Nyberg

Everyone says that lying is wrong. But when we say that lying is bad and hurtful and that we would never intentionally tell a lie, are we really deceiving anyone? In this wise and insightful book, David Nyberg exposes the tacit truth underneath our collective pretense and reveals that an occasional lie can be helpful, healthy, creative, and, in some situations, even downright moral.

The Varnished Truth takes us beyond philosophical speculation and clinical analysis to give us a sense of what it really means to tell the truth. As Nyberg lays out the complexities involved in leading a morally decent life, he compels us to see the spectrum of alternatives to telling the truth and telling a clear-cut lie.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction

254 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Sandra]

I did not like this and I don't see my self ever liking this. I had to read it for class and I was miserable for every second of it.

[Tyler]

I gave this book three stars, but unless you are especially interested in the sociological and psychological factors that influence our understanding of truth-telling and deception, you wouldn't like it at all.

I'm fascinated by the subject matter, and yet, I only gave it three stars.

This book was interesting at times, but not quite as informational or objective as I had hoped.

I'm glad I read it, but I'm also glad to be done with it.

[Curtis]

Argues against the dichotomized view of truth (Truth and Lie). Establishes an understanding of the spectrum of deception. Worth the read.