... conversely we have a duty not to lie even if it may produce the best consequences. By contrast Mill's utilitarianism is only concerned with the best outcome of any action in terms of producing maximum happiness. Thus the concept of benevolent deception introduced by Henry Sidgwick is essentially consequentialist as it holds that 'disclosure sometimes violates obligations of beneficence and non-maleficence by causing the patient anxiety, by retarding or erasing a therapeutic outcome, by leading the patient to commit suicide, and the like'. (Bok) This theory therefore involves evaluation of the reaction to any action in terms of the principles approach, from the perspectives of beneficence, the obligation to good, non-maleficence, the avoidance of harm and autonomy 'the capacity to make deliberated or reasoned decisions for oneself and to act on the basis of such decisions'. Kant (1724-1804) states that we all have a universal duty not to lie, his deontological ...

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