Do We Ever Lie To Ourselves?

We will be at Southeast Regional Library in Room D

About the Group:

This is a friendly Socratic Café where we explore big ideas through open conversation. No philosophy background is needed, just curiosity, respect, and a willingness to share and listen.

### 🧭 Category 1: Identifying the Act (What & How)

This group focuses on defining self-deception and exploring how it shows up in our daily lives.

1. What does it actually mean to "lie to yourself"? How is it different from just being wrong about something?
2. Can you share a common, everyday example of a "small" lie we tell ourselves? (e.g., "I'll start my diet tomorrow," or "I have plenty of time.")
3. How do you know when you are lying to yourself? Is it a feeling in your gut, or something you only realize much later?
4. Is there a difference between "lying to yourself" and just "being optimistic"? Where is the line?
5. What subjects (e.g., love, money, health, abilities) do you think people are most likely to lie to themselves about?

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### 🧠 Category 2: The Reasons We Do It (Why)

This group explores the motivations behind self-deception—the perceived benefits and psychological drivers.

6. Why do we do it? What is the main purpose of lying to yourself?
7. Do we lie to ourselves more often to avoid pain or to gain pleasure?
8. How much of self-deception is about protecting our ego or the "story" we tell about ourselves?
9. Is lying to yourself a conscious choice, or is it more of an automatic habit we're not even aware of?
10. When we procrastinate, are we lying to ourselves? If so, what is the lie? (e.g., "I work better under pressure.")

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### ⚖️ Category 3: The Impact & Ethics (So What?)

This group discusses the consequences and whether self-deception is ultimately helpful or harmful.

11. What is the danger of lying to yourself? When does a "small" self-deception become a "big" problem?
12. Can lying to yourself ever be good or healthy? (e.g., "Faking it 'til you make it," or the placebo effect).
13. How do the lies we tell ourselves end up affecting the people around us (our friends, family, or partners)?
14. What does it mean to be "true to yourself" or "live authentically"? Is it even possible to never lie to yourself?
15. If you had a button you could press to eliminate all self-deception from your life, would you press it? What would you gain, and what might you lose?