Noble lie

{{sources needed}}{{philosophy}}
The '''noble lie''' is deliberate or socially sanctioned [[falsehood]] told by leaders or institutions with the aim of promoting {{wpl|Group cohesiveness|social harmony,}} {{wpl|Social equilibrium|stability,}} or [[Morality|moral behavior]] among the population. It was originally conceived by [[Plato]] (see ''The Republic'') as a [[political]] concept; with the idea being that, if the cultivation of nobility of the [[soul]] is the purpose of the state, then it is in fact laudable to lie to the people [[Sheeple|too dumb]] to understand the necessity of virtue. Put even more simply, it means that false [[propaganda]] for the sake of the public welfare is totally acceptable.<ref>McDavid, Brennan. 2025. “The Noble Lie: Plato’s Republic, Book 3.”  The Philosophy Teaching Library. Edited by Robert Weston Siscoe, <https://philolibrary.crc.nd.edu/article/the-noble-lie/>.</ref><ref>Schofield, Malcolm. “The Noble Lie.” Chapter. In The Cambridge Companion to Plato’s Republic, edited by G. R. F. Ferrari, 138–64. Cambridge Companions to Philosophy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007.</ref> It is the immaculately conceived son of [[Pious fraud]] and the [[big lie]].

While primarily associated with politics/governmental functions, other institutions - such as [[religion]], [[education|educational systems]], [[media]], [[Communitarianism|communities]] and [[family|families]] - can transmit a belief that functions like a noble lie: be it false or oversimplified, but socially stabilizing.<ref>Schwartz, J. (2015). Falsehood and lies in Plato’s political thought. WPSA Papers. https://www.wpsanet.org/papers/docs/Schwartz_Falsehood%20and%20Lies%20in%20Plato%E2%80%99s%20Political%20Thought.pdf</ref><ref>Gonda, M. (2013). A new interpretation of the noble lie. Plato Journal, 13(2), 45–60. https://impactum-journals.uc.pt/platojournal/article/download/8978/7113/39591</ref><ref>Burch, K. (2006). Plato’s myth of the noble lie and the predicaments of American civic education. Studies in Philosophy and Education, 26(2), 111-125.</ref> Historically, the concept was used by people who did not believe in the tenets of a certain religion, but used them to rally their followers.<ref group=note>Q: Why can't I pillage that village? A: Because [[God]] will totally smite you if you do! Unless God has some smiting that needs to be done: {{bible|1 Samuel|15}}:3 ''"Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass."''</ref> More recently, it has been adopted and utilized by a number of [[neoconservative]]s, due partially to the influence of [[Leo Strauss]], a scholar of Plato who seriously believed in telling noble lies.

The noble lie runs afoul with [[skepticism]], {{wpl|Evidential reasoning approach|evidence-based reasoning,}} and [[intellectual honesty]] -- things considered [[understatement|pretty important]] ''[[RationalWiki|here]]''.{{nofact}} Deliberately promoting falsehoods for perceived social benefit undermines epistemic integrity and erodes public trust, while encouraging paternalism by granting unaccountable elites the authority to decide which beliefs others should hold. Noble lie is also associated with historical and contemporary uses of propaganda, religious dogma, and authoritarian control -- things that inhibit critical thinking and individual autonomy. Even inconvenient or disruptive truths are preferable to well-intentioned deception, the latter being  ultimately corrosive to rational inquiry and democratic accountability.<ref>WILLIAMS, B. (2002). Truth and Truthfulness: An Essay in Genealogy. Princeton University Press. http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt7ssz4</ref><ref>Onora O’Neill, “Between Consenting Adults,” Philosophy & Public Affairs 14, no. 3 (1985): 252–277.</ref><ref>Gerald Dworkin, “Paternalism,” The Monist 56, no. 1 (1972): 64–84.</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Bok |first=Sissela |date= 1999|orig-date=1978|title=Lying: Moral Choice in Public and Private Life |url= https://www.google.com/books/edition/_/-Mfoj6Mf1zEC |publisher= Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group  |isbn=9780375705281 |access-date=December 20, 2025}}</ref>

==Examples of noble lie==
===The OG noble lie (Plato)===
The ''noble lie'' was introduced by the [[Plato]] in ''The Republic'' (Book III), describing a myth propagated by the rulers of an ideal city-state, or "Kallipolis", to maintain social harmony and order. Plato envisioned a stratified society consisting of three primary classes: rulers (gold), auxiliaries (silver), and producers (bronze or iron). The noble lie asserts that each individual is born with a specific type of metal mixed into their soul, which determines their social role and capacity within the community.

Plato proposed the noble lie as a pragmatic solution to the challenge of convincing citizens to accept their societal roles willingly. According to the myth, rulers possess gold in their souls and are therefore naturally suited to govern, auxiliaries have silver and serve as defenders of the city, while producers contain bronze or iron and are tasked with providing for the material needs of society. Although not literally true, this deception was considered "noble" because it promoted social cohesion, legitimacy of the hierarchy, civic duty, and overall justice, as defined by Plato: each class performing its proper function.

The concept has been widely discussed and criticized. Advocates view it as a tool to ensure societal stability and moral order, whereas critics argue that it exemplifies manipulation and authoritarian control.

===Religion===
Mainstream historical and critical scholarship often treats religious texts as containing elements of "noble lie"-narratives intended to convey religious or moral truths rather than strict historical fact. For example, many scholars consider parts of the [[Hebrew Bible]] ([[Tanakh]] or [[Protestant]] [[Old Testament]]) - such as the conquests described in Joshua and various stories in the Pentateuch - to fall into this category. The Book of Daniel has similarly been interpreted as a work designed to encourage Jewish communities under foreign rule.

This also applies to stories in the New Testament, like the birth of Jesus and the visit of the Magi, which scholars often see as noble lie rather than actual historical events. The Book of Mormon, which is considered sacred scripture by members of the Latter-day Saint movement, is seen by others as either a fake story or pious fiction and isn't considered to contain true divine messages.

In Islamic studies, some scholars have described the [[Quran]] as noble lie-fiction, and certain collections of hadith have also been seen as containing stories influenced by religious or social reasons rather than being purely factual. Dale Eickelman points out that Muslim legal experts might use pious fiction to argue that Islamic law is unchangeable, even though there is historical evidence showing it has changed over time.

===Christmas (and Santa Claus)===
From a philosophical perspective, the modern celebration of [[Christmas]] can be interpreted as a form of a “noble lie,” functioning more as a symbolic cultural narrative than a strictly historical commemoration. While the holiday ostensibly marks the birth of Jesus, the selection of December 25th occurred centuries later and may have been influenced by pre-existing pagan winter festivals. Many widely recognized traditions, including Christmas trees, [[Santa Claus]], and gift-giving, originate from European folk customs, Norse mythology, and commercial practices rather than the biblical account. Ergo, Christmas serves less as a historical reenactment and more as a socially cohesive ritual that promotes values such as generosity, family togetherness, and moral reflection. In this sense, the holiday exemplifies how symbolic myths can reinforce social and ethical norms, even when they are not grounded in precise historical fact.<ref>Miller, Daniel "Christmas: An anthropological lens", HAU: Journal of Ethnographic Theory 2017 7:3, 409-442, https://doi.org/10.14318/hau7.3.027</ref><ref>Kennedy A, Waiguny MK, Lockie MA (2022), "Children’s consumption culture development through Christmas myths: ethical implications". Young Consumers: Insight and Ideas for Responsible Marketers, Vol. 23 No. 2 pp. 321–343, doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/YC-05-2021-1333</ref>

Speaking of Santa Claus, the character is kind of a noble lie, since it's a culturally passed-down falsehood that adults knowingly keep going, assuming it helps create childhood wonder, encourages nice behavior and brings holiday cheer. It helps reinforce social norms like being good and not bad, offers a symbolic figure of generosity, and supports a shared cultural tradition.<ref>Monroe, A. J., Mills, C. M., Goldstein, T. R., Quintero, N. B., & Kanumuru, P. (2023). Debunking the Santa Myth: The Process and Aftermath of Becoming Skeptical About Santa. Developmental Psychology, 60(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1037/dev0001662</ref><ref>Breen, Lynda. “What If Santa Died? Childhood Myths and Development.” Psychiatric Bulletin 28, no. 12 (2004): 455–56. https://doi.org/10.1192/pb.28.12.455.</ref>

===Social Engineering and Ideology===
In the context of {{wpl|Social engineering (political science)|social engineering}} and [[ideology]], a noble lie refers to a deliberately constructed narrative, myth, or ideology that is not strictly true but is promoted as fact to unify society, legitimize authority, or guide collective behavior. Such lies are systemic in scope and often embedded within education, media, rituals, and cultural symbols to shape social norms and values. 

Historical examples include [[Marxist]]-[[Leninist]] [[propaganda]], which portrayed the progression of history toward a classless society as inevitable, as well as the [[Soviet]] myth of the “[[Communist_glossary#New_Soviet_man|New Soviet Man]]”, which envisioned citizens transformed into selfless and rational socialist humans. Similarly, [[Mythology#National_mythologies|national origin myths]], such as the idealized narratives of the [[United States]]’ [[Founding Fathers]] or the [[Plymouth Colony|Pilgrims]], simplify complex historical realities to foster national identity and cohesion. 

Corporate or governmental origin stories may also function as noble lies by emphasizing certain achievements while minimizing context, thereby promoting loyalty and social cohesion. These instances illustrate the broader function of noble lies as tools of social and ideological engineering, often blending partial truths with fabricated or exaggerated elements for perceived societal benefit.

===Diversionary wars===
{{wpr|Diversionary foreign policy|Diversionary wars}} - such as the [[Falklands War]] and [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]] - are contentiously considered a form of noble lie, since they are a form of can be understood as a form of political deception or state-sponsored myth-making.<ref> Carson, Thomas L., 'Lying and Deception about Questions of War and Peace: Case Studies', Lying and Deception: Theory and Practice (Oxford, 2010; online edn, Oxford Academic, 1 Sept. 2010), https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199577415.003.0013, accessed 13 Dec. 2025. </ref><ref>Bonn, S. A. (2010). Mass deception: Moral panic and the U.S. war on Iraq. Rutgers University Press. ISBN 978‑0‑8135‑4789‑3.</ref> Both involve leaders manipulating narratives to shape public opinion in the name of stability or order, reflecting a shared reliance on deception justified as serving a perceived good. However, the similarities largely end there. 

In Plato’s Republic, the noble lie functions as a foundational and enduring myth designed to promote social cohesion and the long-term structural good of the entire polis, as determined by philosopher-kings. By contrast, a diversionary war is typically a short-term, tactical strategy aimed at distracting the public from domestic crises and preserving the incumbent regime’s hold on power. The ethical status of such wars is therefore far more contentious, as the deception primarily benefits political elites while imposing severe human and economic costs on society. 

Consequently, although diversionary wars resemble modern political “noble lies” in their manipulation of public perception, they lack the idealistic and universal justification central to Plato’s original concept, which envisioned deception as serving the timeless good of the ideal city rather than the immediate interests of those in power.

===Artificial intelligence===
The concept of [[AI]] (Artificial intelligence) engaging in "noble lies" is a subject of philosophical debate. While AI itself lacks intentions, beliefs, or moral agency, it can function in ways that resemble noble lies. For example, AI systems may simplify, omit, or soften information for safety, emotional, or social reasons, or present information aligned with the values of their creators, creating an appearance of benevolent deception. However, unlike humans, AI does not consciously justify or intend such actions, and any resulting deception originates from design choices or institutional policies rather than the AI itself. Consequently, AI is not morally "guilty" of noble lies, though it can act as an instrument through which such effects occur, raising ethical questions about autonomy, trust, and the delegation of truth-filtering to automated systems.<ref>Witell, L., Snyder, H. (2024). Dishonesty Through AI: Can Robots Engage in Lying Behavior?. In: Rousi, R., von Koskull, C., Roto, V. (eds) Humane Autonomous Technology. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-66528-8_10</ref><ref>Margarita Leib, Nils Köbis, Rainer Michael Rilke, Marloes Hagens, Bernd Irlenbusch, Corrupted by Algorithms? How AI-generated and Human-written Advice Shape (Dis)honesty, The Economic Journal, Volume 134, Issue 658, February 2024, Pages 766–784, https://doi.org/10.1093/ej/uead056</ref><ref>Peter S. Park, Simon Goldstein, Aidan O’Gara, Michael Chen, Dan Hendrycks, AI deception: A survey of examples, risks, and potential solutions, Patterns, Volume 5, Issue 5, 2024, 100988, ISSN 2666-3899, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.patter.2024.100988.</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Devlin |first=Hannah |date=May 10, 2024 |title=Is AI lying to me? Scientists warn of growing capacity for deception |url= https://www.theguardian.com/technology/article/2024/may/10/is-ai-lying-to-me-scientists-warn-of-growing-capacity-for-deception|website= The Guardian|access-date=January 10, 2026}}</ref><ref>Ma, W., Valton, V. Toward an Ethics of AI Belief. Philos. Technol. 37, 76 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13347-024-00762-8</ref>

==Philosophers' arguments==
===Leo Strauss===
Perhaps the man who helped reintroduce the concept in contemporary politics, {{wpl|Leo Strauss}} argued that Plato’s “noble lie” in The Republic reveals a permanent tension between philosophical truth and political necessity. Rather than viewing it as simple deception, Strauss interpreted the noble lie as a foundational political myth that fosters social cohesion, justifies hierarchy, and sustains civic loyalty—functions that reason alone cannot achieve for most citizens. In his reading, philosophers understand the falsity of the noble lie, while ordinary citizens accept it, highlighting the inherent distance between philosophy and the city.<ref name="Batnitzky2021">Batnitzky, Leora, "Leo Strauss", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Summer 2021 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), URL = <https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/sum2021/entries/strauss-leo/>.</ref>

Strauss did not present the noble lie as a model for political manipulation, but as a "tragic necessity" that illustrates both the limits of politics and the vulnerability of philosophy within political life. He also linked this concern to his broader interest in esoteric writing, which he saw as a form of philosophical self-restraint rather than an endorsement of deception. However, Strauss’s engagement with the noble lie reflects his critique of modern [[liberalism]]'s faith in transparency and [[rationalism]], emphasizing the enduring and unavoidable tension between truth and political order. While he frames this tension as a cautionary insight, some interpreters suggest that it carries implications for [[elitism]] or the use of [[spin|strategic messaging]] to sustain political authority.<ref name="Batnitzky2021"/><ref>Smith, Gregory Bruce. “Leo Strauss and the Straussians: An Anti-Democratic Cult?” PS: Political Science & Politics 30, no. 2 (1997): 180–89. https://doi.org/10.2307/420488.</ref>

===Desmond Lee===
While {{wpl|Desmond Lee (classical scholar)|Desmond Lee}} acknowledged some flaws about the idea, he was ultimately defensive about the concept. Lee interpreted Plato’s “noble lie” not as a cynical political trick but as a symbolic myth intended to unify citizens and express the ideals of the city. He argues that Plato’s aim was not to deceive for selfish gain but to provide a narrative that promotes social cohesion and moral responsibility. Lee’s reading reframes the noble lie as a tool for cultivating shared values rather than an ethically problematic form of manipulation.

===Karl Popper===
Naturally -- In ''The Open Society and Its Enemies'' (having dedicated Vol. 1 almost entirely of tearing Plato a new one), [[Karl Popper|Sir Popper]] argued that Plato attempted to base religion on a "noble lie."  Popper observed that, while many commentators praised Plato for opposing the [[relativism]] of the [[Sophist]]s and establishing a form of "[[spiritual]] [[naturalism]]" (not ''that'' {{wpl|Spiritual naturalism}}) grounded in religion, they often failed to note that Plato himself relied on invented conventions to support religious and moral order. Plato’s myth claiming that citizens’ social positions - ruler, soldier, or worker - are determined by the type of metal in their soul (gold, silver, or bronze/iron); this being intended to promote social harmony by encouraging individuals to accept their assigned roles. Popper criticized this idea as an early example of authoritarian thinking, arguing that it legitimizes deception by elites and undermines democratic principles. Popper saw the noble lie as dangerous because it prioritizes social order over truth and individual freedom, setting a precedent for totalitarian control. He further argued that Plato’s approach to religion and society exerted a significant influence on later Western thought.

===John Stuart Mill===
[[John Stuart Mill]] had issues with the noble lie and argued that restricting opinions based on their perceived “usefulness” is flawed because usefulness cannot be assessed independently of truth (i.e. [[Pragmatic fallacy|fallacy of pragmatic justification]]). To deem an opinion useful presupposes knowledge of its correctness, which no one can know infallibly. Therefore, limiting discussion assumes the existence of an omniscient judge, which is impossible. Suppressing debate prevents both the discovery of truth and the proper evaluation of utility, since usefulness and truth are inseparable. Open discussion is necessary for fair judgment and rational societal decision-making.<ref>{{cite book |last=Mill |first=John Stuart |date=1978|orig-date=1859 |title=On Liberty  |chapter=2: “Of the Liberty of Thought and Discussion” |publisher=  Hackett Publishing Company|isbn=9780915144433 |access-date=}}</ref>

==Notes==
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==References==
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[[Category:Deceit]]
[[Category:Philosophy]]

Categories: Deceit, Philosophy