Santa's Lies

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Chapel Phil

Society & Culture


Happy Holidays! This year, we're all "Ba Humbug"!  In her podcast debut, Brennan asks the question: Is it ethical to lie about Santa Claus to our children? Brennan consults many ethical perspectives in her search to determine an answer. Some perspectives include rule-based ethics, utilitarian calculations, Joe Biehl's "Lies, Damn Lies, and Santa Claus", and "Your Kids Believe in Santa? A Scientist Says to Tell Them to Stop It" from the Washington Post.  Is the existence of Santa reflective of a societal desire for control and order over our children? Perhaps we are a cynical bunch...  Special thanks to Sidharth Sirdeshmukh for masterminding the background beats! Links:  https://philosophynow.org/issues/135/Lies_Damn_Lies_and_Santa_Claus https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2018/12/18/your-kids-believe-santa-scientist-says-tell-them-stop-it/ Opinions espoused on Chapel Phil do not reflect the standpoints of the Parr Center for Ethics, Chapel Phil, or the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill