Harry Frankfurt On Truth

Princeton philosopher Harry Frankfurt made a sensation not long ago with his slim but feisty little book entitled "On B.S." — or, actually, on the pungent long form of that phrase. We're drowning in B.S., said the august philosopher — and the bull-slingers are actually worse than liars, because they don't even care about the difference between truth and lies.

Then he started thinking: does society care anymore? We'd better, Harry Frankfurt is back to say, in his new book "On Truth." In an age of "truthiness" and spin and relativism, this philosopher wants you to know that the truth still matters. In fact, he says, civilization hinges on it.

This hour On Point: Harry Frankfurt wants you to know you can handle the truth — because you've got to.

Guests:

Harry Frankfurt, professor emeritus of philosophy at Princeton University. His new book is "On Truth."

Jack Beatty, On Point news analyst.