Deception in the Name of Science

A long-standing question of ethics and morality is the use of deception in the pursuit of science. Deceiving test subjects has occurred many times in psychology and sociology, and it presents a dilemma: if people know in advance they are being deceived, they are likely to react in a different manner than if they believe what they are experiencing is true, but it is dishonesty, so is it right?

Background image courtesy of Why?Outreach

Keep in mind that secular psychologists have their basis in evolutionary thinking, which is in turn based on atheistic materialism. They have no consistent basis for morality, which is often predicated on whatever is expedient at the time, or the end justifies the means. Biblical Christianity (especially with a creationary bent) need not apply for employment here. Research in psychology has jumped the corral fence and is heading off at full gallop into Orwellian territory. Desires to implement mental manipulation techniques are on their minds. In a similar manner, the ability to say, "I'm sorry" is also subject to manipulation. Instead of actually being sorry and repenting of an action, the delivery of the apology is more important than the content.

In order to test human responses, some psychologists intentionally lie to volunteers. Is the “science” of manipulation justifiable?

Three psychologists decided to play Orwell’s 1984 with people. They took 54 people and did this to them, according to their paper in PLoS One:

To learn more about what's happening at the Ministry of Truth, click on "Researchers Lie to Subjects".