Скачать или смотреть On Bullshit! (H.G. Frankfurt, 2005)

Harry G. Frankfurt's essay, "On Bullshit," undertakes a rigorous attempt to define and analyse a concept often taken for granted. Frankfurt posits that the ubiquity of bullshit in modern culture has not led to a clear theoretical understanding of what it is, prompting his philosophical analysis to articulate its essential structure and distinguish it from other forms of falsehood, particularly lying. Crucially, he argues that the essence of bullshit is not that it is false, but that it is disconnected to a concern with truth—the bullshitter is indifferent to how things really are and merely selects or invents statements to suit their purpose, in contrast to the liar who must remain concerned with the truth to effectively conceal it. The essay explores why this phenomenon is so prevalent, suggesting that obligations to voice opinions despite ignorance and the influence of antirealist doctrines (which question objective truth) have driven individuals to prioritise sincerity over factual accuracy.