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The Truth about Mental Reservations Part 4: Conclusion

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JMJ

 

In post 3 I ended which some questions that I wanted to understand.

  1. Who has a right to an unambiguous answer? Examples include:
    1. when a pastor questions parties preparing for marriage, 
    2. when a person who is about to be inducted into office is asked about his freedom from disqualifications, 
    3. when a witness in court is interrogated about matters on which he can testify,
    4. when one party to a contract seeks from the other necessary knowledge about the contract; 
  2. What rights could be injured? Examples include:
    1. against the common good,
    2. in favor of a private good).
  3. When are you bound to keep the truth from a questioner?
    1. those who are questioned about secrets which sacramental or professional confidence forbids them to disclose (e.g., confessors, doctors, lawyers, statesmen, and secretaries) should deny knowledge, or, if hard-pressed, even the facts. .
    2.     The answer, "I do not know" or "No," in these cases simply means: "I have no personal or communicable  knowledge." 
    3. In war time a government has the right to censor the news in order to keep information from the enemy
    4. A reason of charity might also make it obligatory to disguise the truth by mental reservation (e.g., when a clear reply given to the question of a sick person would only weaken a slender hope of saving his life, or when exact information given to a gunman would enable him to overtake an intended victim);

 Finally, for a recap, I have concluded that the use of mental reservations or ambiguities are governed by the following key "tests:

  • Answer NO to the following questions:
    • Does the questioner have a right to an unambiguous answer? ✅
    • Would the use of a mental reservation injure the rights of another? ✅
    • Is there no other lawful means available (ie. evasion or silence)? ✅
  • Answer YES to the following questions:
    • Is it necessary to secure some good or avoid an evil of a magnitude that compensates for the deception that may be caused? ✅
    • Are you bound to keep the truth from the questioner?✅

If you answer correctly, you can employ a mental reservation.  However, in this day and age, I think further research is needed to under who has a right to an unambiguous answer.  For example, does a police officer have a right to a clear answer when they pull you over for speeding?

Something to ponder.

P^3




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