Intentional Deception Without the Intent to Deceive

Does lying require an intention to deceive? Deceptionists answer ‘Yes’, while Non-Deceptionists answer ‘No’. Non-Deceptionists point to a host of purported counterexamples in support of their position. Deceptionists are left unconvinced. By forging a stronger link between the lying and action theoretic literatures, I offer a new argument against the Deceptionist position. One that must be responded to differently if it is to be countenanced by Deceptionists. I conclude by advancing a promising middle ground between these two positions.

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Publication Details

Journal
Australasian Journal of Philosophy
Published
2026-07-27
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/00048402.2026.2707326
Primary Topic
Epistemology, Ethics, and Metaphysics
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Intentional Deception Without the Intent to Deceive

Brian Haas
Australasian Journal of Philosophy
Epistemology, Ethics, and Metaphysics
article

Intentional Deception Without the Intent to Deceive

Brian Haas
article en

Abstract

Does lying require an intention to deceive? Deceptionists answer ‘Yes’, while Non-Deceptionists answer ‘No’. Non-Deceptionists point to a host of purported counterexamples in support of their position. Deceptionists are left unconvinced. By forging a stronger link between the lying and action theoretic literatures, I offer a new argument against the Deceptionist position. One that must be responded to differently if it is to be countenanced by Deceptionists. I conclude by advancing a promising middle ground between these two positions.

Australasian Journal of Philosophy
University of California, Riverside (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 2%
Epistemology, Ethics, and Metaphysics
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