Having outlined a theory of bullshit and falsehood, Harry G. Frankfurt turns to what lies beyond them: the truth, a concept not as obvious as some might expect. Our culture's devotion to bullshit may seem much stronger than our apparently halfhearted attachment to truth. Some people (professional thinkers) won't even acknowledge "true" and "false" as meaningful categories, and even those who claim to love truth cause the rest of us to wonder whether they, too, aren't simply full of it. Practically speaking, many of us deploy the truth only when absolutely necessary, often finding alternatives to be more saleable, and yet somehow civilization seems to be muddling along. But where are we headed? Is our fast and easy way with the facts actually crippling us? Or is it "all good"? Really, what's the use of truth, anyway? With the same leavening wit and commonsense wisdom that animates his pathbreaking work On Bullshit, Frankfurt encourages us to take another look at the truth: there may be something there that is perhaps too plain to notice but for which we have a mostly unacknowledged yet deep-seated passion. His book will have sentient beings across America asking, "The truth-why didn't I think of that?"
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"Not as challenging or as boisterous as "On Bullshit," but Frankfurt lays down a solid foundation for truth as the cornerstone of a personal philosophy. At its core he states that humans rarely look at themselves and their circumstances in a forthright and truthful manner and this in turn causes us distress. I can see readers misenterpereting this as a light self-help book, but there is some good elementary and utilitarian philosophy here."
— Aaron (4 out of 5 stars)
" concise, common language, common sense arguments for the value of truth. Though, it was actually about the value of specific truths rather than truth itself, and Frankfurt's attempt to consolidate the two left much to be desired. "
— Brittany, 2/9/2014" I love this philosopher. Clear, to the point, you could mistake much of what he says for obvious, but it isn't, precisely because it seems to be. Have you ever thought about why truth is important, and why it is important that we believe it exists, and actively look for it? "
— Anna, 1/31/2014" Very common sense look at the truth, but something everyone should revist now an again. Quick easy read. "
— Danielle, 1/13/2014" I liked this very short book a bit better than "On Bullshit" by the same author (although, I enjoyed that, too). Finally, a philosopher who seems to describe the concept of truth in a way that makes more sense to me, a scientist. "
— Mark, 1/7/2014" This follow up to On Bullshit was far less interesting than its predecessor. "
— Irina, 1/1/2014" Very quick read; more of an essay than a book. Brings up the interesting idea that while lies have the ability to play a positive role in interactions, bullshit (blatant disregard for truth) is nothing but trouble for anyone involved. "
— Shane, 12/27/2013" On Bullshit was superior. This book was so wordy and boring I finally gave up. It was hard to not finish it based on principle but like is too short for bad books. "
— Jessica, 12/27/2013" More advice than On Bullshit but not as exciting to read. "
— John, 12/27/2013" On Truth by Harry G. Frankfurt (2006) "
— Kelly, 12/20/2013" the compliment to "on bullshit." as with most sequels, not as good as the first installment, but still well written. read it in an afternoon. let it marinate for quite some time after. "
— ryan, 12/17/2013" Pragmatische omgang met de vraag of waarheid wel bestaat. Door de object-subject benadering anders in te kleden. Accent op het belang van de waarheid voor de omvang van het subject met het object. "
— Marc, 12/16/2013" BORING.... "On Bullshit" was way funnier and better, but then, sequels are often a disappointment. "
— Jacob, 11/30/2013" Not as funny as The Reasons of Love and On Bullshit "
— Zrinka, 10/2/2013" Recommended, especially chapters 7 and 8 which incorporate poetry into his analysis of truth--poems by Adrienne Rich and Shakespeare. Also, exhibits very clear writing, and is a relatively quick read. "
— David, 6/28/2013" I said "Eh" about On Bullshit and here too, I find myself saying "Eh." Kind of interesting, and I can't complain about the investment of time. Also sort of rambling, not easy to get through, and some of the points are kind of self-evident. "
— Khaya, 5/13/2013" The first 3/4 aptly justifies my irascible desire to care about things as they are. The last 1/4 where he tries to justify truth as an ideal, without having first identified how to find truth, is dicey. And the section where he analyzes one of the Shakespeare's sonnets seems pointless at best. "
— Greg, 2/14/2013" Absolutely wonderful short book on philosophy and why people value truth. "
— Anson, 7/2/2012" Can't beat it for the length. "
— Kyle, 5/23/2012" Highly technical speech. Difficult to follow. I can't hardly remember a complete sentence of what I read (maybe I am an awful reader after all :-( "
— Ariadna73, 7/17/2011" Less fun than "On Bullshit", but good. A responsible reader should really read them both. Especially since Frankfurt was a responsible writer in giving them both his full attention. "
— Jeff, 7/16/2011" The premise is that being true to facts is the same as being true to one self. Truth is the backbone of society and even living. You can't live for long without recognizing basic truths. "
— Kevin, 7/1/2011" A worthwhile short read. This lacked some if the quirkiness of On Bullshit, but it was a far more important study of a concept we all rely on. "
— Dave, 6/21/2011" I felt that this book is really repetitive and just talked in circles. "
— Guntrotingidiot, 5/22/2011" Disappointed. His other book, 'On Bullshit' was a fun and useful reflection on how bullshiting differ from lying. 'On Truth' just reads like a B+ college essay. "
— Guillaume, 4/2/2011" I love this philosopher. Clear, to the point, you could mistake much of what he says for obvious, but it isn't, precisely because it seems to be. Have you ever thought about why truth is important, and why it is important that we believe it exists, and actively look for it? "
— Anna, 3/27/2011" A worthwhile short read. This lacked some if the quirkiness of On Bullshit, but it was a far more important study of a concept we all rely on. "
— Dave, 11/25/2010" Recommended, especially chapters 7 and 8 which incorporate poetry into his analysis of truth--poems by Adrienne Rich and Shakespeare. Also, exhibits very clear writing, and is a relatively quick read. "
— David, 11/2/2010" This follow up to On Bullshit was far less interesting than its predecessor. "
— Irina, 10/19/2009" More advice than On Bullshit but not as exciting to read. "
— John, 5/18/2009" On Truth by Harry G. Frankfurt (2006) "
— Kelly, 4/15/2009" The premise is that being true to facts is the same as being true to one self. Truth is the backbone of society and even living. You can't live for long without recognizing basic truths. "
— Kevin, 3/19/2009" Lot's of chatter for such a little book. Not the best read nor best for convaying a goal. <br/> <br/>You are best not botherd with it. "
— Yaser, 2/21/2009" Isn't this what it's all about? "
— Jbryon, 1/22/2009" the golden cover was the best part. "
— lucas, 1/22/2009" concise, common language, common sense arguments for the value of truth. Though, it was actually about the value of specific truths rather than truth itself, and Frankfurt's attempt to consolidate the two left much to be desired. "
— Brittany, 11/25/2008George K. Wilson is a working actor in stage, film, television, and commercials with almost one hundred audiobook narrations to his credit. He began in broadcast journalism with American Forces Radio and Television and is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He had a lead role in the cult film classic Attack of the Killer Tomatoes and appeared on television’s One Life to Live, Ryan’s Hope, and The Doctors and has been heard on voice-overs for The Guiding Light and The Cosby Show, as well as many television and radio commercials.