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our values conforms to the prevailing epistemological paradigms which underpin many
aspects of life in Western societies. Within these paradigms we aim to deceive not only
ourselves, but also others, that we can separate our subjective selves from our responses
to the situations we meet and the decisions we make.
Definition and key components
I have distilled the following definition and key components of bad faith from the
preceding analysis. This definition incorporates the necessary key components of the
values-based law interpretation of bad faith; objectification, intention and deception.
The remainder explain and expand on specific considerations in relation to the use of
bad faith.
Bad faith refers to the employment of modes of objectification with the express
intention of distancing the subjective self from a situation or decision and
aiming to deceive self and / or others of intent.
Objectification.
A mode of objectification is employed to objectify subjective self in response to a
situation.
Intention
Objectification is intentionally chosen as a method to cope with an external reality.
Deception
The person attempts to deceive themselves or others that they are using
objectification to deny their subjectivity.
Levels of bad faith
There is no absolute line between either being in bad faith or not. There is a
spectrum which acknowledges differing levels of bad faith which create a veneer
around the subjective self. Depending on the extent of the objectification and
deception, the veneer will be thicker and less penetrable.
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