New Books Network On Bullshit in Politics
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Jul 12, 2025 Michael Patrick Lynch, a Provost Professor of the Humanities at the University of Connecticut, discusses the pervasive issue of bullshit in politics, drawing insights from his upcoming book on truth and democracy. He emphasizes the critical need for citizens to discern fact from fiction, especially during elections, and analyzes the impact of misinformation on democratic foundations. Lynch also highlights the challenges posed by social media algorithms in navigating truth, urging intellectual courage and community engagement to combat oppressive narratives.
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Lynch's Influence from Frankfurt
- Michael Patrick Lynch shared two memorable encounters with Harry Frankfurt that shaped his thinking about philosophy and truth.
- These meetings highlighted their shared concern about truth amid an audience focused on logic.
Truth and Democracy's Foundation
- Truth means what fits reality, not what we wish to believe, and it's essential for making informed decisions in democracy.
- Democracy depends on institutions that provide reliable information for citizens' decisions.
Distinctions Among Lies, Bullshit, and Bald Lies
- Bullshitters don't care about truth, unlike liars who want to hide it; bullshit aims at amusement or power.
- Bald-faced lies force people to choose between fighting deception or surrendering democratic norms.
