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