Is it lying to check the box to acknowledge you've read it if you haven't read the whole long complicated agreement?

[Kathrin]

I think there was something on the Apologists’ answers forum about this once, but I can’t find it.
Trying to read a very long bank legal agreement thing has almost been driving me nuts . It’s the same account I used to have, but the bank changed owners or something so in order to see my balance online I need to re-register. I need some info for taxes on how much I had on this account at the beginning of the year, and print it out. Do I really have to read the whole thing? I’ve been reading it bit by bit, over weeks and months, but by now I don’t even remember what I ahve read and what not. ;( Help!

Kathrin

 

[Doc_Keele]

Personally I think it’s not morally wrong to check the box. The box is there for legal purposes of course, and you can’t claim in court that because you didn’t actually read a particular document that you’re not bound by it.

 

[Langdell]

It seems to me that it’s not lying for this reason: The actual meaning of what you are checking off is not “I have in fact read this whole agreement” but rather “I am waiving any right to argue that this agreement is not enforceable against me on the grounds that I wasn’t aware of something in it.”

IOW, it’s what we lawyers call a “risk-allocation provision,” not an exercise in truth-telling.

.

 

[Non_Serviam]

Of course, before you check that box, you may wish to reflect on the Dilbert series from a few years ago where he agreed to a software license without reading it and was then bound to serve as Bill Gates’ towel boy.

Institute for Digital Medicine - Fraunhofer MEVIS

Fraunhofer MEVIS develops real-world medical software solutions for image-supported early detection, diagnosis, and therapy. Strong focus is placed on cancer as well as diseases of the circulatory system, brain, breast, liver, and lung. The goal is to detect diseases earlier and more reliably...

www.mevis.fraunhofer.de

Institute for Digital Medicine - Fraunhofer MEVIS

Fraunhofer MEVIS develops real-world medical software solutions for image-supported early detection, diagnosis, and therapy. Strong focus is placed on cancer as well as diseases of the circulatory system, brain, breast, liver, and lung. The goal is to detect diseases earlier and more reliably...

www.mevis.fraunhofer.de

Institute for Digital Medicine - Fraunhofer MEVIS

Fraunhofer MEVIS develops real-world medical software solutions for image-supported early detection, diagnosis, and therapy. Strong focus is placed on cancer as well as diseases of the circulatory system, brain, breast, liver, and lung. The goal is to detect diseases earlier and more reliably...

www.mevis.fraunhofer.de

 

[wolfgang]

Of course, before you check that box, you may wish to reflect on the Dilbert series from a few years ago where he agreed to a software license without reading it and was then bound to serve as Bill Gates’ towel boy.

Too funny!

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Follow up question: Is it a sin to approve a Health Care Bill without reading it?

 

[Bookcat]

It seems to me that it’s not lying for this reason: The actual meaning of what you are checking off is not “I have in fact read this whole agreement” but rather “I am waiving any right to argue that this agreement is not enforceable against me on the grounds that I wasn’t aware of something in it.”

IOW, it’s what we lawyers call a “risk-allocation provision,” not an exercise in truth-telling.

.

This would seem to be the answer. It seems that such things are understood in this way…that it is a legal thing…one is responsible for what you sign…but no one actually expects one to read it…sort of an ‘intention of the writer’ similar to the intention of the law giver…they expect you to bind yourself to the agreement and not be able to say “but I did not read it”…(hence sort of legal language understood as legal thing)

this is at least generally speaking …there may be various kinds of things…but just use prudence…

some of these documents are just nuts! Are you using a magnifying glass???

of course if it is something really serious…that may take more reading to protect oneself etc…

so use prudence…

 

[baltobetsy]

Follow up question: Is it a sin to approve a Health Care Bill without reading it?

:clapping::clapping::clapping::clapping::clapping:

 

[Andrew_Lorimer]

Try hard to read the document. As you go through it understand what it is saying. Some parts may not apply to you. Sometimes there is a section headed “Definitions”; there you will find the meanings of certain terms used. These documents can be seen as interesting. You can view them as an intellectual challenge, as well as providing the conditions of you having the account. Do not lie. The danger is that you lose yourself when you lie. It is a social task. That you do not remember the details several weeks hence, is perfectly human. If you understand the document as you read, then you will know later that you choose to accept it in full knowledge.