When is telling the truth not the right thing to do?

Question:For example (hypothetical)- say I have a chubby female hubby and she asks me whether or not I think she's fat.
I would say that I'm attracted to her in every way, but the amount of weight she has may be unhealthy and she would probably be happier without it; and that happiness is the only way she would be more attractive without the weight (which I think is what every man means to say when the answer this question as such).
Is there any question that you think TRULY should not be answered with the truth?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: For example (hypothetical)- say I have a chubby female hubby and she asks me whether or not I think she's fat.
I would say that I'm attracted to her in every way, but the amount of weight she has may be unhealthy and she would probably be happier without it; and that happiness is the only way she would be more attractive without the weight (which I think is what every man means to say when the answer this question as such).
Is there any question that you think TRULY should not be answered with the truth?

I think Kant's categorical imperative covers it. You do not tell the truth when it would make the world a worse place; you say whatever (in your best judgment) will make the world a better place.

Would "you're fat" make the world a better place? If you put your spouse into a depression, no. If you motivate her to diet and exercise, yes.

William James pointed out that our imperfect reasoning does not always accurately predict the outcomes of our actions--but Kant would hold that we should undertake whatever we can predict would lead to the best outcome according to our best judgment, and then we should forgive ourselves if it turns out badly.

when that truth does no good,
tell that girl she looks great,

well I think being fat isn't healthy or at least commonly. Sumo wrestlers have a different fat so they're actually pretty healthy even thoug they are so big of course normal fat is unhealthy and it really is better to be thin as far as health goes, plus I think people look better when they're not fat, so it's a good thing.
Sometimes it is technically right to tell a lie. See Gone Baby Gone.

I won't ruin it but in the end the main character makes a really hard decision and I think it was wrong since he brought up the past and forgot the future as oppose to what he should have done which was to forget the past and look toward the future.

If telling the truth is going to get you killed then you can lie.

If it would hurt another. You could say how beautiful she is in anything that she puts on. It's not what's on the outside that make a person beautiful but what's inside.

That's interesting that a chubby woman is your husband. I think it's fair that some questions should be answered with a incomplete or distorted version of the truth, when you're trying not to hurt someone's feelings. "Am I fat" is a good example. I think the fat person knows they are fat anyway.

Except in extreme situation like when it's life or death, we should avoid outright lies because society is built on relationships where people have to co-operate and trust each other.

the only other thing i can think of , and its of course differant for everyone-but the how many people have you slept with before me...??? i have always believed that should NEVER be answerewd with the truth...

will the truth be hurtful how important is the truth in each case a person who is fat knows they are fat talk about your own physical flaws and ask her for her help to work on them(to improve yourself ) talk about weight and health plan to go on together go for walks

Well - I would tell your wife, "yeah, you gained some weight" - she wouldn't of ask you if she already didn't know the answer. Might as well be honest with her to establish that are honest in matter with her (not that she doesn't trust you in the first place - plus if you REALLY DO NEED TO LIE - YOU'VE ALREADY ESTABLISHED YOU ARE BRUTALLY HONEST).

I try and tell the truth as much as I can - personally and in business. I sometimes will not tell the WHOLE truth if it's not necessary. I would say it's OK not to tell the truth if it is going to hurt somebody (I mean really hurt someone, not that your wife gained some wieght - in fact that might encourage her to get healthier) unnecessarily.

Say you were in a conversation with your nieghbor (named Joe) who recently was divorced and your other nieghbor (Mike) started dating this guys ex-wife and started saying the woman "was great in bed" or "made a joke about this guys ex-wife". As your talking to Mike, he makes you laugh about the situation and Joe comes over and says "what's so funny?" Well at this point, I would say telling a small lie like "we were laughing at that Eddie Murphy DVD I got". I think that would be OK.