The Pragmatics of Bullshit, Intelligently Designed

1. The Pragmatics of Bullshit, Intelligently Designed George Reisch, The Pragmatics of Bullshit, Intelligently Designed, In Bullshit and Philosophy, 2006

2. Some excerpts from Bullshit and Philosophy to kick off discussion • I offer these quotations because they were lines that struck me as interesting and important in exploring what BS is and how it functions. I will present these to you with the hope that you have reactions to these quotes. But first, I have some questions for you. Please feel free to react as you wish.

3. Question—take your time and think of your response. • Is bullshitting the sort of thing that must be done on purpose?

4. What Matters to Us • What is the connection between bullshit and values?

5. From The Pragmatics of Bullshit, Intelligently Designed, Reisch • Reisch argues that “In fact, as the example of ID [Intelligent Design] illustrates prominently, bullshitters conceal not some indifference to truth but instead a commitment to other truths and, usually, an agenda or enterprise that they take to be inspired or justified by those other truths. For many possible reasons, however, they do not want us to see these truths to which they are committed” (p.38).

6. From The Pragmatics of Bullshit, Intelligently Designed, Reisch • Writing about The Truth in Bullshit (p. 39), Reich refers to our having two (or more) conversations at once. By this he means one conversation is ostensibly about one thing (for example, policy from a politician) while at the same time it is about the candidate being likeable. The college “bull session” is ostensibly about one thing (say, the nature of the universe) while it is at the same time about one’s self image, social reputation, and to what degree the apple of one’ eye is impressed. • So, can we translate this as an argument for the place of what matters or values with regard to bullshit? • Can we say, as Reisch does, that the bullshitter has coordinated multiple goals “. . . in an effort to maximize his or her chances of accomplishing practical goals” (p.40)?

7. From The Pragmatics of Bullshit, Intelligently Designed, Reisch • Semantics versus Pragmatics (pp. 40-43) • Frankfurt proposes a definition of bullshit which focuses on the properties of the bullshitter’s speech and stops short of these larger goals that bullshit usually serves (p. 40). • The Difference between Semantic and Pragmatic Analyses of Language • Semantics involves properties of language such as meaning, truth or falsity—relations between words and things or states of affairs; • Pragmatics not just meaning and truth but also the uses and purposes to which language may be put; for instance, lofty speeches with the hope of making audiences like the speaker. Pragmatics is use of language in specific contexts [interpersonal communication]

8. From The Pragmatics of Bullshit, Intelligently Designed, Reisch • Reisch says: “. . . we learn more about bullshit by defining it as an essentiallly pragmatic phenomenon” (p.42). • “From the bullshitter’s point of view, it springs from a pragmatic aim to co-ordinate two (or more) distinct concerns or conversations to use one as a cover or container for the other” (p. 42).

9. From The Pragmatics of Bullshit, Intelligently Designed, Reisch • According to Frankfurt, both the liar and the bullshitter sin against the semantics of truth (p. 43). • So why do we let one off the hook so easily? • Reisch argues that lies are more dangerous to our well being (for example, if we are told that the milk is fresh and it is not, we can get sick.) But bullshit attempts to disguise one purpose behind another and we do not need the information. I am not sure I buy this explanation. • Also, unlike liars, bullshitters may be honest and sincere (p. 44)