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
The term is modern American slang. The philosopher Harry G. Frankfurt popularized a formal treatment in his
Bullshit often relies on vagueness, confident monotones, selective data, jargon, generalities, and social incentives to proceed
Ethically problematic, it undermines trust, pollutes public discourse, and may contribute to misinformation. It can be
Countermeasures include critical thinking, demand for evidence, seeking independent sources, checking coherence, and institutional practices that
See also: misinformation, deception, critical thinking, Harry Frankfurt's On Bullshit.