Attention Quote by Harry Frankfurt
“Someone who lies and someone who tells the truth are playing on opposite sides, so to speak, in the same game. Each responds to the facts as he understands them, although the response of the one is guided by the authority of the truth, while the response of the other defies that authority and refuses to meet its demands. The bullshitter ignores these demands altogether. He does not reject the authority of the truth, as the liar does, and oppose himself to it. He pays no attention to it at all. By virtue of this, bullshit is a greater enemy of the truth than lies are.”
About This Quote
Source Book: On Bullshit, 1986
Bullshit disregards truth’s authority, unlike lying which at least acknowledges it; therefore it poses a deeper threat to truth.
In simple terms: Bullshit ignores truth, making it more dangerous than lies.
Key Takeaway
Challenge and call out bullshit rather than just lies.
Themes
truth
ethics
communication
Mood
critical
skeptical
concerned
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- media analysis
- personal relationships
- education
Key Concepts
Philosophy of language
cognitive bias
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes people accept bullshit over facts?
- How can we protect truth in public dialogue?
A Different Perspective
Bullshit can be persuasive when truth is complex or inconvenient.
![“I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with [my wife] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and I just had such a strong reaction to the prayer. And I was really emotionally - I felt really grounded at that time. And so to be in this prayer and the imam is doing the prayer in…” quote by Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d31/mahershala-ali-6687_attention_i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with_3083.jpg)
