R: You Should Have Nothing to Hide

In the current epoch, where civil liberties are at the forefront of our consciousness (see NSA surveillance controversy), it is becoming increasingly clear that Americans value their privacy vis-à-vis the government. Do we place value on privacy merely because it makes for a good libertarian answer to the question of the proper relationship between the state and the citizen, or is there inherent moral and philosophical merit to the hiddenness of certain thoughts, words and actions? We often talk about the rights of citizens, but does the government perhaps have a “right,” as preserver of order and peace, to have the unfettered ability to acquire knowledge of any and all illegal (or immoral) acts within its jurisdiction? As much as we balk at an untrustworthy government, trust is a two-way street in most relationships. Why should the state-citizen relationship be the exception to the rule?

Speaking of these other types of relationships, are we bound, whether morally or philosophically, to reveal our true character when we interact with others? What if hiding our imperfections is the same as hiding impulses that may cause harm to others? And yet, perhaps we should have nothing to hide because we have a duty to develop continuously a more perfect character, or at least be comfortable with the progress we are making. To what extent, though, do we have to be “good” people in private? Is this even possible? If not, then does some sort of society or polity necessarily have to exist prior to any notions of what is true and good?