Customer Reviews

On Truth

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I write this review because there are criticisms that are irrelevant concerning the lack of creativity involved in the writing of this book. One criticism is that it is not thorough. It is not the be-all and end-all. It is a quick, accessible, interesting, insightful read though.

As an undergraduate I double-majored in German & Philosophy. Now I am about to complete my M.A. in German Studies and pursue philosophy as a hobby. I am a pragmatist.

As a pragmatist, the book is also particularly scintillating to me. I am a pragmatist as a direct consequence of William James's Pragmatism, my favourite work of philosophy. I am also reading James's The Meaning of Truth from time to time.

Frankfurt raises a fascinating problem in this work: the problem of a beneficial lie. He also cites 2 works by Montaigne ("Of Liars") and Kant ("On a Supposed Right to Lie from Altruistic Motives"), which I now feel compelled to read if I can obtain thru interlibrary loan.

Frankfurt argues that yes, some things are relative, but reminds me of the importance of getting it right. As I was schooled by a professor steeped in postmodernism, I have to find myself keeping postmodern tendences in thinking in check. Yes, engineers and architects and doctors do not have time for discussing some non-beneficial abstract notion of relativism, nor are they paid to do so. If this was all they focused on, they would not excel in their professions, and would not be successful.

I found this work insightful and personally helpful. More importantly, I found it culturally responsible and with a strong sense of social conscience so absent amongst philosophers that seem more and more ethically bankrupt. The most relevant questions are the most important. The question of truth is one that is relevant to us all. Thus, it is one of the most important.

This is a good starting place and I feel may change peoples lives who have a tendency to lie. I have considered buying it as a gift for some friends of mine, so well did I like this book.

Full disclosure: I am an attorney, not a professor of philosophy. As my profession must deal with unending loads of BS and is one that ostensibly seeks "truth," Dr. Frankfurt's latest essay was required reading. I stress essay and choose to recognize what this book accomplishes rather than what it does not. I found this volume to be a worthy introduction to an exceedingly important topic.

"On Truth" is a sequel to a famous predecessor regarding BS wherein Dr. Frankfurt uses the common vulgarity as a metaphor for the goals of our society. However, he felt that he had failed to adequately show the dangers of indifference to truth, which he defines as the hallmark of BS. His premise is that our society is based on truth sufficient to weather the increasing storms of BS but that the foundations of our culture are susceptible to the continual eroding force of BS. He argues that we need to start paying attention to truth before we lose the concept and are unable to repair the damage being done.

The Declaration of Independence began "We hold these truths to be self-evident" thus, those who went on to accomplish the American Revolution, draft and enact the Constitution, and who were generally recognized as a pretty capable bunch, did not collapse into arguments and finger-pointing about the philosophical niceties of what they were about. The self-evident truths of the founding fathers were rather like Justice Stewart's famous admission that pornography is hard to define, but "I know it when I see it." Truth is a staple of religious training--folks used to get their weekly dose in Sunday School. Thus, the decline in religious observance seems to be closely mirrored by the decline in appreciation for and understanding of truth in general. Too few commentators dare to approach the issue--the vicious attacks on those who profess any belief in truth are all too common, as is the prevailing attitude that "your truth" need not be "my truth."

Accordingly, "On Truth" is more of a warning than a summation. It is a piece of evidence, not proof of the argument. States Dr. Frankfurt: truth is of immense practicality, if we lose respect for truth we cease striving after it, we are more creatures of truth than we admit, ignorance and error have no value, lack of respect for the value of truth will ultimately cost us the very powers that give us the power to create.

Highly Recommended

Truth to tell, it would appear that some humorless admirers of some (let's be honest) less well known philosphers (Simon Blackburn??) have a problem with this little book, which hardly proclaims to be the last word on the subject but is still a thoughtful and entertaining read. Yes, if this is the subject of your dissertation, or your hobby is metaphysics, you might find the Professor's other books more challenging. But if you want a short and very deadpan (think Colbert Report) performance on a big subject, showing tongue-in-cheek how far society has come from the common-sense respect for simple (non-metaphyscial) truth, by all means don't be scared off by people with obscure axes to grind. Refreshing and actually memorable. I intend to stock up for certain "truth challenged" friends on my list!

I am usually a generous reviewer (e.g. my review of Ann Coulter's "Godless"), and I liked Frankfurt's creativity in "On Bullshit" by trying to give the term "bullshit" a sort of philosophical clarity (distinct from truth claims and lying).
In "On Truth" Frankfurt reminds his readers that "indifference to truth" is what is "distinctive of bullshit." In this book, Frankfurt admits that his critics are right that he begged the question - what is truth? He calls it an "important assumption."
Remember those rare times in "On Bullshit" where Frankfurt was funny? Quoting the Oxford English Dictionary, Frankfurt described terms like shooting the bull where "shooting is very much like a cleaned-up rendition of shitting...bullshit session."
Frankfurt lacks nearly ANY distinctions in "On Truth." On page 8 he says he will not confront directly the "entangled debate" on whether truth claims can be made about "objective reality." On page 10 - "I will simply take for granted the...commonsense ways of understanding these notions." He says his discussion will be concerned "exclusively on with the value and the importance of truth."
At this point, I thought, "ok, he is avoiding arguments to prove the correspondence theory of truth in order to show something about the social importance of truth." I expected some interesting reflections on the social-political importance of truth to a society. However, Frankfurt puts very little effort and substance in this arena.
Frankfurt does however attack "postmodernists" who he calls "these shameless antagonists of commonsense" (page 19).
Connecting both "On Truth" and "On Bullshit" we see that he understands postmodernists as bullshitters.
Frankfurt should be praise for his accessible writing, but insofar as he is writing a philosophical paper/book this is unimportant work.

This book is bad for these reasons:
1- After begging the question as to what truth is in "On Bullshit" he should have known better than to reaffirm the begged question in "On Truth." In writing for a lay-audience Frankfurt-the-philosopher should have recognize a better way is to make that "entangled debate" more accessible to his lay audience, not simply assume commonsense works but to defend it by reaching beyond commonsense.
2-Whereas "On Bullshit" had both wit and creativity, "On Truth" has neither, and I'm serious about this. This is a VERY simple rehash of basic commonsensical philosophical approaches to affirming truth (e.g. the self-refuting claim that it is true that there are not truths).
3- Readers of Frankfurt should expect more from him, since he is more inspiring than this in his other books like "The Reasons of Love," "Taking Ourselves Seriously & Getting it Right."

All the books I've mentioned thus far of Frankfurt's exceed no more than 130 pages. Popularizing philosophy is a good thing!
However, he is competing against at least two mentionable philosophers who are also good writers and accomplished professors: Roger Scruton and Simon Blackburn.

Simon Blackburn's "Truth: A Guide" makes Frankfurt's "On Truth" look redundant and unimportant. I'm not saying I'm against the postmodernist but I'm saying that both Blackburn and Frankfurt agree on some sort of realism about truth claims, the point is - Blackburn is just much better at discussing and surveying truth as a concept.

I give 2 stars because "On Truth," in a sense, completes "On Bullshit" but it is so incredibly lackluster for a Princeton professor.

By the way the shinny gold hardcover of this edition reminds me of my little sister's diary. Shinny gold plastic just doesn't seem typical book binding material. Warning - this book may look awkward on your bookshelf, it does on mine.

Frankfurt writes a short clip about why "Truth" exists, and it is useful. He succeeds more in the latter than the former. Citing the needs of bridge builders, he states that facts (and as an extension truth) exists, and is useful. But would that really convince a post-modernist who believes it is all in the point of view, whether cultural or economic? Perhaps the bridge is a special case...

But I digress... The book defends truth as instrumental in getting through life, and finding one's boundries as a human being. Sources range from Spinoza to Shakespeare, with a poet thrown in the middle. (ok - so Shakespeare was used as a counter example)

If you're interested in the subject to read the review, go for the book. It won't take long to read, and it certaintly can't hurt.

This book simply gets right to the point. Our society, which values the useful so much, needs to look as well at the underlying affirmation of the true which follows from these values. This succinct little treatise makes the reasons for this lucid. The author maintains a pleasant balance of accessibility and depth throughout. An inexpensive addition that belongs on both the working and thinking man's bookshelf.

This 'book' is much better than "On BS". The author lays out reasons on why Truth is important for us to ackowledge its existence and to (most of the time) try to attain it. He purports truth to be independent of observer (because facts are) and mildly attacks postmodernism and skepticism.

You can't discuss truth without discussing false so some time is spent on the subject of 'lying' (not necessarily of the BS variety). I found this to be the most interesting section.

This book is more philosophical than On BS. But there are a fair amount of anecdotes that work well.

Dr. Frankfurt focuses on the value and importance of truth in any society. He choses NOT to enter the endless discussions surrounding a definition of truth. He simply relies on the reader's common sense to understand the notions of truth and falsity. Then he proceeds to develop his thesis that truth has "considerable practical utility" and other benefits.

He also describes those who "find it convenient to deny the existence of truth" (my words). These are well educated people who I say are confused (to be polite). Almost unbelievable.

I learned a great deal about the world of truth and falsity. My commonsense notions were reinforced. My disgust at the BS artists, spinners, and liars in positions of power was reinforced.

This is a book worth reading.

I was pretty pumped for this, but found it unnecessarily difficult to get through, and couldn't really enjoy the reading experience. I know philosophy isn't supposed to be easy, but I felt like Frankfurt's writing took the fun out of critical thinking which I usually love. I'm sure philosophy majors and others with lots of experience with these kinds of texts would appreciate it more, but for those, like me, who are just trying to get our hands on interesting and thought provoking reading materials, look elsewhere.

The book is a page turner. Really. A pocket sized work that you can finish quickly and think about fully. Have fun with it. Buy several for your friends. We clearly have issues with TRUTH in this world. Drive the need home to have TRUTH by purchasing one for your friends and family today!