“On Bullshit” by Harry G. Frankfurt falls under the category of Philosophy. Specifically, it can be considered a work of philosophical anthropology, as it explores a particular aspect of human behavior and communication.
Originally published in the Raritan Quarterly Review journal in 1986, the essay was later republished as a separate book in 2005. The work delves into the concept and implications of ‘bullshit’, a term Frankfurt uses to denote deceptive misrepresentation. The essay has gained significant popularity for its philosophical exploration of a term and concept often considered vulgar or trivial in society.
The central idea of “On Bullshit” is to distinguish ‘bullshit’ from lying. According to Frankfurt, a liar is aware of the truth but chooses to misrepresent it, while a ‘bullshitter’ has no concern for the truth at all. The ‘bullshitter’ aims primarily to impress or persuade, irrespective of truth. This distinction makes ‘bullshit’ a greater enemy of the truth than lies, according to Frankfurt.
Frankfurt suggests that ‘bullshit’ is more prevalent in today’s society due to the increasing pressure on individuals to speak or have opinions on all matters, regardless of their knowledge or understanding of a subject. This leads to the production of ‘bullshit’ - statements made without any regard for truth.
The popularity of “On Bullshit” can be attributed to Frankfurt’s unusual subject matter and his rigorous exploration of it. The essay is a rare piece of philosophical inquiry into a term and concept that is a common part of everyday vernacular but rarely subjected to such detailed analysis. The book’s relevance to contemporary discourse and communication has also contributed to its popularity. In an era where information (and misinformation) is rampant, Frankfurt’s exploration of ‘bullshit’ provides a critical tool for understanding and navigating modern communication.
Examples from the essay
In “On Bullshit,” Harry Frankfurt makes several illustrative points using examples to explain the concept of ‘bullshit’ and how it differs from lying. Here are a few:
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Frankfurt refers to an anecdote about the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein who, on hearing a friend had been sick, asked her “what was the matter”. When she replied vaguely that she had “felt just awful,” Wittgenstein scolded her for not giving an accurate description of her illness. Frankfurt uses this to illustrate that Wittgenstein’s friend was not lying about her condition, but she was ‘bullshitting’ because she conveyed something without a concern for truth or falsity.
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Frankfurt also discusses an ex-Presidential candidate who declared himself to be in favor of a set of policies that it was clear he had no real understanding of. Frankfurt argues that while this candidate was not lying (he might have believed he was for those policies), he was ‘bullshitting’ because he expressed views without a proper understanding or commitment to the truth of what he was saying.
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Frankfurt also uses the example of a Fourth of July orator who goes on at length about ‘our great and blessed country, whose Founding Fathers under divine guidance created a new beginning for mankind’. This person, according to Frankfurt, is not lying but ‘bullshitting’. He is not trying to deceive his audience about the facts. These facts are irrelevant to him. He just wants to convey a certain impression of them and of himself.
These examples bring out the essence of Frankfurt’s argument - that ‘bullshitting’ is characterized by a disregard for truth, not necessarily an intent to deceive. The ‘bullshitter’s’ primary aim is to impress, persuade or create a particular impression, irrespective of the truth or falsity of his statements.
How to avoid bullshitting ourselves
Harry Frankfurt doesn’t explicitly provide a guide on how to avoid ‘bullshitting’ ourselves in his work “On Bullshit”. However, based on the key insights provided in the book, one can infer a few strategies to avoid self-deception or ‘bullshitting’ ourselves:
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Commitment to Truth: Since ‘bullshit’ is characterized by indifference to truth, a commitment to seeking and acknowledging the truth can be a primary defense against ‘bullshitting’ oneself.
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Humility and Openness: Recognize and admit what you don’t know. There’s a tendency to ‘bullshit’ when we feel pressured to have an opinion or knowledge about everything. It’s okay not to know or be uncertain, and to express that uncertainty, rather than covering it up.
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Critical Thinking: Regularly questioning our beliefs, assumptions, and convictions can help us spot when we’re ‘bullshitting’ ourselves. This involves a willingness to change our minds when presented with strong evidence or logical reasoning.
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Mindfulness: Being mindful of our thoughts and words can help us detect when we’re straying away from the truth or speaking without genuine regard for what’s true or false.
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Honest Communication: Aim for honesty and transparency in communication. Think before speaking and ensure that what you’re saying is something you genuinely believe, rather than something intended solely to impress or persuade others.
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Seek Feedback: Others can often spot when we’re ‘bullshitting’ ourselves. Regularly seeking feedback and being open to criticism can help us see our blind spots.
While Frankfurt’s book doesn’t provide a definitive guide to avoid ‘bullshitting’ ourselves, these strategies, inferred from his exploration of ‘bullshit’, can help us maintain a truthful and authentic relationship with ourselves and others.
How to identify bullshit in others?
Identifying ‘bullshit’ in others can be challenging, but there are several strategies you can use, many of which are based on the insights provided by philosopher Harry Frankfurt in his work “On Bullshit.” Here are some tips:
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Examine the Context: If a person often speaks confidently about topics they’re not experts in or if they frequently change their stance based on their audience, this could be a sign of ‘bullshit’.
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Look for Evidence: If someone makes sweeping statements without any evidence or sources to back them up, they could be ‘bullshitting’.
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Check Consistency: Look at the consistency of their statements. Do they contradict themselves? Do they say one thing and then do another? These inconsistencies might be signs of ‘bullshit’.
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Consider Their Motivation: If the person seems more interested in impressing others or winning an argument than in conveying the truth, this might be a sign of ‘bullshit’.
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Observe Their Reaction to Questions: If they react defensively or aggressively to questions, dodge them, or respond with vague or non-specific answers, they might be ‘bullshitting’.
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Fact-Check: If you’re in doubt, fact-check their statements. There are many online resources available to verify information.
Remember, everyone - even the most honest among us - is capable of ‘bullshitting’ under certain circumstances. The goal is not to catch people out or accuse them, but to develop a more discerning approach to the information you receive. It’s also important to approach this process with empathy and understanding, recognizing that ‘bullshitting’ is often a response to social pressures rather than a mark of bad character.