Nondeception

Nondeception refers to the ethical and practical commitment to avoid deceiving others. It involves presenting information honestly, accurately, and without manipulation, and it includes both the content of statements and the manner in which they are delivered.

Philosophical foundations: In moral philosophy, deception is typically judged as morally wrong when it is intentional and misleading. Nondeception aligns with virtues such as honesty and integrity and with ethical theories that prioritize respect for others’ autonomy. Some distinctions are drawn between outright lying, deliberate manipulation, and truthful omission, with nondeception sometimes permitting nonverbal cues or necessary concealments in limited contexts, provided they do not mislead.

Applications: In journalism and science, nondeception supports transparency, accurate reporting, and disclosure of uncertainty. In business and public policy, it underpins trust and compliance with consumer protection laws. In AI and technology, nondeception guides design toward explainability, avoidance of deceptive outputs, and clear disclosures of limitations.

Challenges: The boundary between nondeception and related ideals such as tact, privacy, or strategic communication can be contested. Some circumstances involve ambiguous information, voluntary omissions, or cultural norms that tolerate certain deceptions; evaluating intent is difficult. There is also ongoing debate about how to measure nondeception and enforce it across domains.

Related concepts include truthfulness, transparency, honesty, integrity, and misinformation.