Augustine & the Eight Types of Lie | The Ethics of Lying

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Is it ever okay to lie? Would you lie to save a life, protect a secret, or avoid harm? For Augustine, the answer is always no—but that doesn’t mean all lies are equally bad. In this video, we explore Augustine’s eight types of lies from his “De Mendacio” (On Lying), and uncover his fascinating arguments—both theological and secular—against lying.

Augustine is the first philosopher (that I’m aware of) to put to paper a serious rejection of the idea that lying could ever be justified. He articulates his position and supports it with powerful and sustained arguments.

“De Mendacio”—although rather neglected today—heavily influenced thinkers such as the theologian and philosopher Thomas Aquinas, whose views on lying can be traced to Augustine.

Moreover, although absolutist, his position is supported by arguments from many different directions and thus can appeal to non-absolutists as well. His definition of lying as the intention to deceive with falsehoods remains the standard in philosophical literature today.

🔍 Key Points Covered:
Augustine’s theological foundation: Why all lies are immoral
The ethical dilemma of lying to save a life
Murderer-Knocks-on-Your-Door example
Secular reasons for rejecting lies: Trust, integrity, and consistency
Augustine’s eight types of lies in order of severity

📖 Chapters:
00:00 Introduction: The Murderer at the Door
00:49 Augustine’s Scriptural Basis Against Lying
02:32 Non-Religious Reasons to Reject Lies
04:01 Additional Biblical Condemnation of Lying
04:29 The Eight Types of Lies Ranked by Severity
06:36 Augustine’s Ethical Nuance
07:37 Conclusion

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🗨️ Comment below: Is lying always wrong, or are there exceptions?

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📺 More Ethics of Lying:    • Augustine’s Philosophy of Lying | Intentio...  

🔬 Sources and Further Reading:
Augustine (1887) “On Lying”. In: Nicene & Post-Nicene Fathers Series I, Volume 3. P. Schaff (ed.), Rev. H. Browne (trans.). Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library, pp. 979-1030.
Chappell, T. (2014) “Augustine’s Ethics”. In: The Cambridge Companion to Augustine. D.V. Meconi, S. J. & E. Stump (eds.). 2nd edn. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 189-207.
Honderich, T. (2005) The Oxford Companion to Philosophy. 2nd edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press, p. 548)
Kenny, A. (2010) A New History of Western Philosophy. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 454-455.

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