This article examines lying, deception and concealment in philosophy and humanities, and relates these three concepts to notions of veracity in public relations. It argues that lying is unacceptable in most situations, but that deception and concealment are justified when harm and relationships are considered in some dilemmas. Relationships and harm in relationships are absent from most philosophical reasoning in regard to lying. The authors believe more emphasis must be placed on the harm created in relationships when truth or lies are told. Elaine E. Englehardt is the Director of the Center for the Study of Ethics and a Professor of Humanities at Utah Valley State College. Dr. Evans is an Assistant Professor of Communication at the University of Utah.
