To begin, we have to narrow and define what we would mean by a subjective object we are calling a "Lie". ( I cannot think of an objective manifestation of a lie ) Also we have to define what a "Liar" is.
The word itself "Lie" has as far as I can recall has negative connotations exclusively.
Everything associated with untruth, non-truth being greyed toward evil or wrong.
We will have "White" lies, they are acknowledged as non-true however gain a special pleading as non-bad or evil on social grounds. We can imbue the "Liar" with no bad or selfish intent on the use of this memetic object. Many kinds of storytelling could be included.
With regard to non-true statements much of the shade of the greys comes from the use and intent of the liar.
We might define "Grey" lies as statements made not at all unlike white instances, but with a selfish or gainsaying intent. A listener may be able to acknowledge to themselves that the statements are in fact grey, but enjoys hearing them just the same.
I think we would have to include a great many jokes in the category of grey lies.
Also flirting to some degree could be included. Fictional works of many kinds, Blarney and Bullshit. Good story tellers may be called grey liars. PR firms would at best I think, have to be included with this sort of lying, being generous.
We would then be left with the "Black" lies. Foul words and phrases with ruthless intent. To indicate non-truth with bitter inclination to steal, injure, control and even destroy those to whom it it is delivered.
Serial killers, thieves, dictators, conmen, grifters of every sort would make best use of these particular memetic devises. Paedophiles, date rapists, partner abusers, propagandists and cult leaders would also swell their ranks.
It would seem important to distinguish some other species of untruth from lies and liars at this point. If someone is convinced of the veracity of a statement made that is actually untrue, I do not think it may be said that they are a liar or are lying.
I would say willful ignorance on a statement one offers as true has to be called black in the morality color chart we are proposing.
Confusion, misstatement, unintentional conflation, illusion and delusion should not label a communicator a liar.
So for the purposes of this exploration a Lie would be a statement by someone that is not true and the Liar has knowledge and intent not to communicate a particular truth and persuade by this without regard to the assumed morality of the misdirection.
Now we have some provisional definitions to work with and a frame on which hang our ethical considerations about this species of non-truth and its users.
We all at one time or another speak of lies and of liars, known and suspected.
There is no shortage of persons that will offer their opinion that they despise liars and would call lies among the worst if not the very worst things in the world.
Less often and as a seeming taboo are lies and lying taken on as a topic.
Something to be analyzed and understood as an important object of perception.
I wondered about lies many years ago and I am still astonished at the poverty of material on the subject. Dare I say, it is almost suspicious.
Perhaps if my feeble wit may illuminate, I may cast some shadows behind me on the threshold of this blighted mansion.
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