During our symposium on Monday, we talked a lot about the
culture that we live in today. One aspect of our culture that we talked about
was the idea of Santa Clause. During this discussion, I represented Kant. Kant
would have said that the idea of Santa Clause was a bad idea. The reason behind
Kant not liking the idea of Santa Clause is because it is a complete lie. Yes,
children are happy and mesmerized by the idea of Santa Clause, but a lie is a
lie. Kant believes that you should do moral actions without worrying as much
about the consequences. I believe that a child should be able to believe in
Santa Clause. Yes you are lying to your child by saying that Santa Clause is
real, but the amount of happiness gained from Santa Clause outweighs the amount
of despair that your child gains from learning that he isn’t real.
One of two
things could happen when you tell your child that Santa is not real. If you
have raised your child to be reasonable and mature, then they will understand
why you would lie about such a thing, because they gained a large amount of
happiness from celebrating the idea of Santa Clause. The other reaction is that
they would be very upset with you for a period of time. Depending on the period
of time, it may not be a bad reaction. I have never heard of a child being incredibly
upset and doing something incredibly stupid because they learned Santa Clause
is not real. I do not agree with Kant in this argument. I believe that the idea
of Santa Clause is a great tradition. Maybe you want credit for giving your
child presents, but you can also feel credit for their presents by seeing how
happy they are while celebrating the idea of Santa Clause. Santa is good, and
if I have children, I plan to celebrate this tradition that I loved so much as
a child.
I agree with you. Telling a child about Santa is an okay lie. I have also not heard of a child becoming incredibly upset over finding out about Santa. I understand Kant's point of view but I do think he takes it to another level. It is good to tell the truth but sometimes, it is suitable to tell a lie. This was a great post and I will also carry on the tradition of Santa with my children as well some day.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with Kant because the lie is not dire and it brings a lot more good along with the lie than it does bad. Santa literally gives presents to those who are "nice" and are deserving, and those who are "naughty" receive coal and are essentially underserving of a present. Although, I do not think lying is right, but depending on the situation and if lying creates a better outcome, I do condone it and I believe it is necessary to do at times.
ReplyDeletePeter, I think you have a good point, I don't think Santa is a bad lie and does bring great happiness to children. While I do see Kant's idea of not lying as being a good theory, I can't see that the Santa lie is a bad thing. I know that according to Kant a lie is a lie, but I see that in this instance a lie can bring happiness to a child. In our society, Santa is so celebrated and anticipated, I think it would be almost cruel not to allow your kids to believe in Santa !
ReplyDeleteI think Kant's major point, is that you couldn't will lying as a universal law. Just because you think something will have good consequences does not mean that it will. I think the problem will reflecting on history for the answers is that every situation is different. Yes, in every situation, you are telling your kids the truth about santa but there are other variables such as whether it was a good holiday for you, if you had a good family situation, is a loved one died, etc. Take away Santa from Christmas for awhile, and let's just say you got your kids a "surprise" gift every year. Just one, but it was the thing they wanted most. You don't have to take away the presents or the tree (though even if you did, it would still be the day we celebrate the birth of Christ, just saying) and kids would still have positive memories of Christmas, no lies added. Elves and Santa eating cookies and coming down the Chimney are not what makes Christmas special.
ReplyDelete