Frankfurt on 'Bullshit'

Choosing Option A, where the AI is set with a high temperature to allow for more creative, unverified responses, raises a significant philosophical concern rooted in Harry Frankfurt’s concept of “bullshit". In his essay On Bullshit, Frankfurt defines “bullshit” as a type of discourse characterised by a lack of regard for the truth. Unlike lying, which requires a deliberate intention to deceive by saying something the speaker knows to be false, bullshitters are unconcerned with truth altogether. They don’t intend to lie, nor do they aim to speak truthfully; instead, they aim to produce language that appears credible or useful for the moment, without any commitment to reality.

In Frankfurt’s analysis, a bullshitter’s primary goal is to produce a narrative that fits the context or satisfies the audience, regardless of whether it aligns with facts. This disregard for truth is not necessarily malicious. It’s often practical, aligning with the bullshitter’s goals to seem convincing or to navigate a particular social or conversational situation. But by sidestepping truth, bullshit risks diluting the meaning of truth in discourse and can lead to confusion and misinformation.