18. Harry Frankfurt on Bull$#!T from Unpacking Ideas

18. Harry Frankfurt on Bull$#!T

51 minutes Posted Jul 4, 2022 at 4:00 pm.

Introduction

the Bullshit Artist

Background of the Essay

The Proliferation of Bullshit

How Bullshitting Differs from Lying

Politician’s Dodge

Incentives to Bullshit

How Bullshitting Differs from Bluffing

The Etymology of “Bullshit”

Speaking Without Saying Anything 

Bullshitting Compared to the Act of Shitting 

What Function Does Bullshit Serve?

Has the Digital Age Increased Bullshit?

Is there More Bullshit Now than in Previous Generations?

How Democracy Increases Bullshit

“Talking Out of Your Ass”

“Trash Talking” 

“Smooth Talking”

A Bull Session

“Shooting the Shit”

Pretentious Bullshit

“Don’t Piss on My Leg and Tell me it’s Raining”

Outro

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Show notes

In this episode we unpack American Philosopher Harry G. Frankfurt's 1986 essay "On Bullshit."

This essay explores...

-What bullshit is

-How bullshitting differs from lying

-Why bullshitting is so prevalent in our culture

Links to Reading and Other Sources Mentioned

On Bullshit by Harry G. Frankfurt

Of Liars by Michel de Montaigne

Glengarry Glen Ross (film)

Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes

*note* reading is not required to enjoy this episode!

Host: Zach Stehura UnpackingIdeas.com

Guest: Max Robinson

Theme Music: Polyenso

Timestamps