Bullshitting

Bullshitting is the act of talking or writing without regard to truth, with the primary aim of shaping beliefs, attitudes, or actions rather than conveying accurate information. The speaker or writer is less concerned with truth or falsity than with appearances, credibility, or outcomes.

It differs from lying in that a liar intends to mislead by presenting falsehoods; a bullshitter is indifferent to truth and focuses on the impression created. The term is often used for rhetorical flourish, confidence, or evasiveness, rather than explicit deception.

The term is modern American slang. The philosopher Harry G. Frankfurt popularized a formal treatment in his essay On Bullshit (2000; book-length expansion). He argues that bullshit is characterized by a disregard for truth and a lack of commitment to factual accuracy.

Bullshit often relies on vagueness, confident monotones, selective data, jargon, generalities, and social incentives to proceed without verification. It is common in politics, advertising, media, and online discourse, where speed and persuasion can outrun fact-checking.

Ethically problematic, it undermines trust, pollutes public discourse, and may contribute to misinformation. It can be difficult to counter because it lacks specific false claims and is designed to be persuasive rather than factual.

Countermeasures include critical thinking, demand for evidence, seeking independent sources, checking coherence, and institutional practices that promote transparency and accountability.

See also: misinformation, deception, critical thinking, Harry Frankfurt's On Bullshit.