Bullshit vs. Lies

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“…bullshit is a greater enemy of the truth than lies are.” The distinction between bullshit and a lie is at times very clear, but it also can be hard to identify. Bullshit is not a lie, and a lie is not bullshit, even though both are considered to be deceitful and insincere. Harry Frankfurt wrote his essay entitled “On Bullshit”, and through reading and analyzing his writing, his position on which is problematic (lying or bullshitting) becomes clear. Near the end of his essay, Frankfurt states, “Thus the production of bullshit is stimulated whenever a person’s obligations or opportunities to speak about some topic are more extensive than his knowledge of the facts that are relevant to that topic” (Frankfurt, On Bullshit, 99). Bullshit is a double-deceit towards a person, because you are hiding the fact that you do not know the information about a topic, and you are spouting out information which you are not 100% sure of, and claiming as if you know enough to hold a conversation. Frankfurt’s statement holds water, because it is a documented argument that elegantly depicts the fight between lies or bullshit being more problematic. I agree with Frankfurt, because I myself am guilty of bullshitting my way through a few essays I have written in the past. I believe bullshit is worse than lying because you don’t think as much about the topic you are speaking about. When you lie about something, you put a lot of thought into it and decide yourself whether the truth or a lie is better for you. When you bullshit, you know barely enough to just get by without having to put any effort into what you are supposed to have done. The bullshitter is lazy, and laziness is not a trait that we should

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