On Point: "The Truth About Bullsh*t"

[Hissyspit]

Interesting interview/discussion concerning Harry Frankfurt's new book "The Truth About Bullshit" on WBUR/Boston's "On Point" radio show last Thursday. It is archived so you can listen to it. Didn't see it posted earlier.
Frankfurt says B.S. more dangerous than lies, because lying implies a concern with the truth. Bullshitters don't care about the truth at all. I kept thinking about Colin Powell at the U.N. with his 'evidence' (so overwhelming, not) while listening to the interview.

http://www.onpointradio.org/


The Truth about B.S.
Aired: Thursday, February 17, 2005 8-9PM ET


There's a lot of it around -- false impressions, flat-out lies, subtle misrepresentations. Call it what you will but "b.s." has become part of American culture, and it can be dangerous, according to Princeton philosopher Harry Frankfurt.

In a new book titled "On Bullshit," Frankfurt argues that the trouble with "B.S." is that it is a greater threat to truth than lies are. "B.S." is undermining cultural respect for the truth, which, in turn, can and does undermine democracy.

Hear a conversation with Frankfurt on how the tide of "B.S." is changing our understanding of truth.



· Harry Frankfurt, professor of philosophy at Princeton University and author of "On Bullshit"