Harry G. Frankfurt (1929–2023) was a prominent American philosopher, best known for his contributions to moral philosophy and philosophy of mind. A professor emeritus at Princeton University, Frankfurt focused much of his career on the nature of truth, freedom, and personal autonomy. His most influential work, “On Bullshit”, critiques the way society communicates without regard to truth, exploring the ethical implications of this phenomenon. Frankfurt’s career was marked by his deep philosophical inquiries into how we form beliefs and how we live with integrity, whether in personal or public life.

In “On Bullshit”, Frankfurt distinguishes between lying and “bullshitting”, arguing that the latter is far more pervasive and dangerous because it involves a complete disregard for the truth. While liars have a relationship with the truth (by attempting to conceal it), “bullshitters” speak without any care for truth whatsoever. This work remains a seminal text for understanding contemporary issues related to misinformation and the erosion of honest communication in public discourse.