"On Bullshit" (2005), by philosopher Harry G. Frankfurt, is an essay that presents a theory of bullshit that defines the concept and analyzes the applications of bullshit in the contexts of communication. Frankfurt determines that bullshit is speech intended to persuade (a.k.a. rhetoric), without regard for truth. The liar cares about the truth and attempts to hide it; the bullshitter doesn't care if what they say is true or false, but rather only cares whether or not their listener is persuaded - [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Bullshit wikipedia]

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Harry Frankfurt is an American philosopher and author of the New York Times Best Seller "On Bullshit". Although first conceived as an essay over 30 years ago, his theory on bullshit is more relevant than ever before. BULLSHIT! aims to further our understanding of what bullshit is, why there's so much of it, and how it can be a greater enemy to the truth than lies - [http://www.openculture.com/2016/05/how-to-spot-bullshit-a-primer-by-princeton-philosopher-harry-frankfurt.html openculture.com]

Frankfurt originally published the essay "On Bullshit" in the Raritan Quarterly Review journal in 1986. Nineteen years later, the essay was published as the book On Bullshit (2005), which proved popular among lay readers; the book appeared for 27 weeks on The New York Times Best Seller list, and was discussed on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart. In the event, On Bullshit (2005) was the foundation for his analogous follow-up book On Truth (2006).

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Short interview clip of Harry Frankfurt on The Alcove with Mark Molaro. The Princeton professor and author of "On Bullshit" reflects on the effectiveness of the satirical comedy of Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. For the full, free interview go to www.markmolaro.com or [http://markmolaro.blip.tv blip.tv]


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"How would our culture change without BS in it?" 
Franfurt: "It would be a lot quiter... Hm. I don't know how it would be different, appart from the fact that a lot of people would find it difficult to say anything." Sincerity (earnestness) vs. facts (observations). Or morality vs. objectivity.


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# See also

- [[Truthiness]]
- [[Post-truth politics]]
- [[Rhetoric]]