"The phenomenon of lie in the perspective of neuroscience and evolutionary sciences"

The present paper deals with the phenomenon of lies and lying from the point of view of the theory of evolution and contemporary cognitive science. In order to investigate these relationships, the following steps are taken: firstly, differences between classical theories of lie are presented (including those created by Aristotele, Thomas Aquinas and Machiavelli) followed by their juxtaposition with the contemporary sciences. It is shown that not only human beings lie, deceive and manipulate. Secondly, the Machiavellian Intelligence Hypothesis in primathology is analysed (Byrne, Whiten, de Waal). Moreover, the neuroscientific approach to the act of lie exposure is discussed (e.g. Brain fingerprinting), along with the issues of neuroethics. Finally, self-deception is presented in the context of the theory of evolution.

Keywords: neuroscience, neuroimaging, evolutionary sciences, lie, deception, self-deception, Machiavellian Intelligence Hypothesis