Note: This essay was prepared with the research assistance and ghostwriting of ChatGPT 4.0.
Author's Preface
One of the comforting things about rocks is that, unlike the rest of nature, they don't try to deceive you. Sure, they’ll fall out of the sky and kill you, be hurled from volcanoes, land on your head, squash you, squash your car even, and get fired from a slingshot and take you out. Or if you live in a castle, they might get hurled by a catapult and break the walls down. But they don’t deceive you. That’s a good thing.
Now, let’s discuss the ways nature is deceptive, and then we’ll get to people, maybe the worst of all. Plants, insects, primitive life forms, mollusks, anemones, fish—masters of deception. Don’t even get me started on snakes. Alligators, kings of stealth. Deception rules, deception abounds in nature. Lying in wait, in their lairs, waiting for a victim to come out to snag them. Even pitcher plants! You name it. Deception rules. Mating behavior is full of deception. Predatory behavior—lies, all lies. And then, of course, we get to the masters of deception: mankind. The worst liars of all, for any number of reasons. And that’s where we’re going—the reasons why people lie.
Introduction
Lying is a fundamental feature of human interaction and even nature, but its impact goes far beyond momentary deceit. Jordan Peterson argues that lying—far from being an innocent way to avoid discomfort—has deeply destructive consequences for individuals and societies alike. While rocks may be trusted for their honesty in simply existing, human deceit has the power to warp character, corrode relationships, and even fuel societal collapse. This essay delves into the many ways lying is pernicious, expanding on Peterson’s insights from 12 Rules for Life and exploring the long-term costs of deceit, even in situations where it seems beneficial in the short term.
Discussion
1. Lies Weaken the Individual's Integrity
At the core of Peterson’s philosophy is the belief that lying erodes personal integrity. Each lie, no matter how trivial, chips away at one’s moral character. He argues that individuals who lie weaken their ability to confront reality and, over time, become less capable of handling difficult truths. By avoiding immediate discomfort, people sacrifice long-term resilience, leaving themselves morally and psychologically vulnerable (Peterson, 2018). The accumulation of lies undermines self-respect, making it harder to stand up for the truth when it really matters.
Illustration: A person who repeatedly lies about their abilities at work may escape short-term judgment but, over time, loses credibility. Eventually, they may face more significant failures because they lack the courage to admit their limitations and grow from honest feedback (McKay & Fanning, 2009).
2. Lying Leads to Self-Deception
Peterson emphasizes that lying to others inevitably leads to self-deception. Once individuals start crafting false narratives for others, they begin to believe their own lies, which distorts their perception of reality. Self-deception creates a barrier between individuals and their personal growth, preventing them from acknowledging and addressing their own flaws. In this way, lying isn’t just an act of deceit toward others but a profound betrayal of oneself (Peterson, 2018).
Psychological Impact: Self-deception leads to feelings of dissatisfaction, internal conflict, and confusion as the false self becomes harder to sustain over time. As lies accumulate, individuals may experience cognitive dissonance, where their beliefs about themselves no longer align with the truth, causing stress and emotional instability (Ford, 1996).
3. Lying Accumulates Moral Debt
According to Peterson, each lie accumulates what he calls "moral debt." Small lies build on one another, creating a web of deceit that becomes increasingly difficult to manage. When the truth eventually comes to light, the consequences are often far worse than if the truth had been told from the beginning. This "debt" must eventually be paid, often in the form of personal suffering, damaged relationships, or loss of credibility (Peterson, 2018).
Real-Life Consequence: In professional environments, minor deceptions—like misrepresenting qualifications—can escalate over time. When discovered, these lies can result in job loss, damaged reputations, and legal ramifications, as was seen in high-profile corporate scandals (Vrij, 2008).
4. Lying Destroys Trust and Relationships
Perhaps the most immediate and visible consequence of lying is its impact on trust. Trust is the foundation of all relationships, and lying undermines that foundation. Once trust is broken, it is extremely difficult to rebuild. Peterson argues that honesty is essential for meaningful human connections because it enables mutual understanding and vulnerability (Peterson, 2018). Lies, on the other hand, create emotional distance and breed resentment, leading to fractured relationships.
Example: Research in relationship psychology shows that couples who engage in frequent dishonesty are more likely to experience dissatisfaction, conflict, and eventual dissolution. The emotional damage caused by lying often leads to long-lasting scars in intimate relationships (Gottman & Silver, 1999).
5. Lying Enables Totalitarianism and Societal Breakdown
One of Peterson’s more striking points is the connection between individual dishonesty and societal collapse. He draws on the writings of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn to argue that lies, even small ones, can enable large-scale oppression. In totalitarian regimes, mass deception is essential to maintaining control. Peterson contends that when individuals tolerate lies—whether personal or political—they create a culture where truth is devalued, leading to societal corruption and authoritarianism (Peterson, 2018).
Historical Context: During the Soviet era, citizens were often forced to lie about their beliefs to avoid persecution. Over time, this led to a society where dishonesty became the norm, contributing to the dehumanization and oppression of millions (Arendt, 1973).
6. Lying as a Form of Responsibility Evasion
Peterson underscores that lying is often a way to evade responsibility. People lie to avoid facing the consequences of their actions, but in doing so, they hinder their own personal development. Taking responsibility, even when it is uncomfortable, builds character and resilience. By lying, individuals stunt their own growth and become morally stagnant (Peterson, 2018).
Long-Term Effects: When people consistently avoid responsibility through dishonesty, they fail to develop essential life skills such as problem-solving, emotional regulation, and accountability. Over time, this avoidance creates dependency and weakness, making individuals ill-equipped to handle life's challenges (Ford, 1996).
Conclusion
While lying may seem to offer short-term relief—avoiding conflict, protecting feelings, or escaping consequences—the long-term costs far outweigh the benefits. Jordan Peterson’s analysis reveals how lying erodes character, weakens relationships, and contributes to societal corruption. Dishonesty accumulates moral debt, damages personal integrity, and ultimately undermines trust, both in individual relationships and in the broader social fabric. Honesty, though difficult, is essential for building strong, resilient individuals and societies. As Peterson advocates, telling the truth, or at least not lying, is the only way to confront the chaos of life and create meaningful, authentic connections with others.
Summary
This essay delved into the pernicious effects of lying, focusing on Jordan Peterson’s insights into how dishonesty erodes personal integrity, weakens relationships, and contributes to societal decay. While lies may provide short-term relief, the long-term consequences of deceit are destructive, leading to moral corruption, self-deception, and societal breakdown.
References
Arendt, H. (1973). The origins of totalitarianism. Harvest Books.
Commentary: Hannah Arendt’s seminal work analyzes the rise of totalitarian regimes in the 20th century, focusing on Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia. Her examination of the ways in which mass propaganda, lies, and dehumanization paved the way for these regimes helps contextualize Peterson’s argument about the dangers of societal dishonesty. Arendt’s insights into how falsehoods become systemic and how they corrupt public life align with Peterson’s claim that even small lies can lead to larger-scale social oppression. This text is critical for understanding how political deceit can evolve into mass control and totalitarian rule.
Ford, D. H. (1996). Lies we tell ourselves: The psychology of self-deception. Plenum Press.
Commentary: Ford’s book explores the psychological mechanisms behind self-deception, detailing how individuals convince themselves of falsehoods to avoid painful truths. Peterson’s point about the dangers of self-deception—that lying to others inevitably leads to lying to oneself—draws heavily on this psychological understanding. Ford’s work offers a comprehensive look at how self-deception undermines personal integrity and leads to long-term emotional and psychological harm, directly supporting Peterson’s views on the corrosive effects of dishonesty.
Gottman, J., & Silver, N. (1999). The seven principles for making marriage work. Harmony.
Commentary: John Gottman is a renowned psychologist and researcher on relationships, and his work with Nan Silver provides practical principles for maintaining strong, healthy marriages. This book is crucial in understanding the role of honesty in intimate relationships, which Peterson highlights. Gottman’s research on how dishonesty leads to the breakdown of trust and communication in marriages backs up Peterson’s assertion that lies destroy relationships over time, causing emotional distance and resentment.
McKay, M., & Fanning, P. (2009). Self-esteem: A proven program of cognitive techniques for assessing, improving, and maintaining your self-esteem. New Harbinger Publications.
Commentary: McKay and Fanning’s book focuses on techniques for improving self-esteem, many of which hinge on developing self-honesty and rejecting self-deception. Their work supports Peterson’s argument that honesty is key to building personal integrity and psychological resilience. By addressing the ways in which individuals deceive themselves to preserve a fragile self-image, McKay and Fanning reinforce the idea that self-deception ultimately leads to a weaker sense of self and greater emotional distress.
Peterson, J. B. (2018). 12 rules for life: An antidote to chaos. Random House.
Commentary: This is Peterson’s central text in which he outlines his views on the importance of truth-telling as a foundational principle for a meaningful life. Rule 8, “Tell the truth—or, at least, don’t lie,” is where Peterson delves into the destructive nature of lies, both for individuals and society. He argues that lies distort reality, weaken character, and lead to societal corruption. Peterson draws connections between personal dishonesty and larger social issues, using historical examples to emphasize how small lies can lead to catastrophic consequences. This book forms the backbone of the essay’s argument, providing the philosophical and psychological basis for the discussion of the pernicious effects of lying.
Solzhenitsyn, A. (1973). The Gulag Archipelago. Harper & Row.
Commentary: Solzhenitsyn’s The Gulag Archipelago is a harrowing account of the Soviet labor camps and the dehumanizing effects of totalitarian rule. His observations about how everyday lies helped sustain the Soviet regime are central to Peterson’s argument. Solzhenitsyn’s work illustrates the broader societal consequences of dishonesty, showing how individuals’ willingness to participate in small deceptions can enable oppressive political systems. Peterson draws heavily on Solzhenitsyn’s insights to argue that lying not only damages individuals but also contributes to societal decay and authoritarianism.
Vrij, A. (2008). Detecting lies and deceit: Pitfalls and opportunities. John Wiley & Sons.
Commentary: Vrij’s book provides a comprehensive overview of the science behind lie detection, including the psychological and physiological indicators of deceit. Although Peterson focuses on the philosophical and moral implications of lying, Vrij’s work complements this by examining the practical difficulties of identifying and dealing with lies in real-world situations. Understanding the complexities of detecting lies in interpersonal and professional settings reinforces Peterson’s argument about the long-term consequences of dishonesty, as lies often go undetected until they cause significant harm.