Lying in Morality and Practical Theology from the Viewpoint of Peter Kreeft

Practical theology can be defined as theological analysis and interpretation of social and cultural realities and especially human actions, providing suitable theological solutions to human life problems. Lying, as a moral challenge appears in various forms in daily life and needs deep attention. Peter Kreeft, as a Thomist, believes that sometimes lying not only is not bad but also it is permissible. Nonetheless, the circumstances under which lying is permissible can be known by intuition and conscience. Relying on Aristotelian-Thomistic rationalism, he criticizes the doctrine of nominalism, the philosophy of Descartes, and the philosophy of Kant. He claims that they have denied the intuitions of reason (as accepted in the philosophy of Aristotle and Aquinas), and have narrowed the realm of the reason so as a computer program. Nevertheless, the circumstances and intention have considerable importance in Aristotelian-Thomistic rationalism. In defending the permissibility of lying, Kreeft argues that circumstances, good intentions, and moral intuition are factors that can sometimes indicate the permissibility of lying. On the other hand, some objections have been raised to this view, one of which is that it contradicts the teachings of the Church and Catholic theology, and seems replaced the absolute truth in the teachings of Jesus Christ with moral intuition.