What does lying by omission involve?

Lying by omission specifically refers to the act of intentionally withholding material facts or important information that, if disclosed, could alter a person's understanding of a situation. This form of deception is particularly insidious because it manipulates the truth by leaving out critical information, thus giving a false impression without making outright false statements.

For instance, if an individual is aware of a significant risk associated with a decision but chooses not to share it, they are misleading others by omitting substantial facts. This can also have serious ethical implications, as it may lead to decisions made under false pretenses. In contrast, creating misleading communication would involve actively distorting the truth, while using technical jargon might obscure clarity but does not inherently imply dishonesty. Preventing emotional harm, while a noble intention, does not justify withholding relevant information and is not inherently related to the concept of lying by omission.