如果没有真实，就创造不出特别和进化

just by the title one figures the book will be annoying, but the niceties of the author's previous On Bullshit seduced me, and the book is so tiny and cute i figured why not pick it up and give it a little try

sadly despite the book being only one hundred quite small pages with disproportionately large text, the author repeats himself endlessly, mainly going on about how you couldn't build bridges or buildings without the truths of mathematics or physics, so ipso facto truth is real and quite important and the postmodernist take - that truth is relative to the individual and the environment in which the individual lives - is quite obviously bosh. but i don't see that the postmodernists would have argued with mathematics or physics....i'm guessing they might have said he was talking about facts, which are not the same as truths (actually i guess they would have used the terms absolute truth vs relative truth? (thank you to Keith's review))

overall, the book is so repetitious that i imagine him writing a draft, rewriting it several times, and then, being a little older and more woolly in the head, inadvertently including all the drafts as separate chapters

he does manage some quite nice paragraphs, especially (p. 39-47) about Spinoza's line that 'love is nothing but Joy with the accompanying idea of an external cause', and happily, the last third of the book is not so bad. he deals more with the poetic, as well as the general complications and feelings of betrayal upon being lied to. some of the passages are nicely put, such as: 'A person who believes a lie is constrained by it, accordingly, to live "in his own world" - a world that others cannot enter, and in which even the liar himself does not reside'. but also in this section, the reader may start to realize what was lost by the emphasis on factuality in the first two thirds of the book: that the truths that may be the most important, that mean the most to us, are, to an extent, a matter of belief, buttressed by facts and a following of a sense of integrity and personal wholeness, exempli gratia: 'we hold these truths to be self-evident'

side note: the crankish feeling of a prepostmodernist pummeling the strawpeople with bumpersticker logic is amplified by the author's unfailing use of the male pronoun to indicate the universal, which for a book published in 2004 seems reactionary even for the seventyfive year old he was at the time

It's always great to read a short punchy book on some topic to quickly put some new ideas in my head. I particularly liked the chapter on lying as I have long hated the damage of lying. Though I feel the first 4 or so chapters were clarifying rather obvious things.

"On Truth" by Harry G. Frankfurt provides a philosophical argument for the fundamental importance of truth in human life, with strong implications for the workplace. This short essay contends that truth is essential for making informed decisions, building trust, and fostering honest communication. In the context of professional life, Frankfurt’s insights are particularly relevant to issues like workplace integrity, ethical leadership, and organizational culture.

Abstract (Work-Life Context)

Frankfurt begins by observing that truth is often undervalued in society, where subjective preferences and opinions frequently overshadow objective facts. In a workplace context, this disregard for truth can manifest in various harmful ways, such as misinformation, misrepresentation, or lack of transparency in decision-making. Frankfurt argues that maintaining a commitment to truth is crucial for the effective functioning of any organization.

Truth, Frankfurt suggests, is the foundation of reliable communication, which is essential for collaboration and productivity. Without truth, trust breaks down between employees, managers, and stakeholders, leading to dysfunctional relationships, poor morale, and unethical behavior. Furthermore, decisions based on inaccurate or deceptive information can result in costly errors, financial losses, and reputational damage.

In work life, truth also underpins personal integrity. Employees who value truth are more likely to engage in honest self-assessment, admit mistakes, and grow professionally. For leaders, commitment to truthfulness is key to ethical leadership. Leaders who distort the truth or encourage others to do so risk creating a toxic work environment that stifles innovation and accountability.

Pros

1. Relevance to Workplace Ethics: The book emphasizes the ethical implications of truth, making it highly applicable to discussions about integrity, transparency, and trust in professional settings.


2. Improved Decision-Making: Frankfurt’s argument underscores that truth is essential for accurate decision-making. In a work context, this means that honest reporting and transparency are key to avoiding costly mistakes.


3. Building Organizational Trust: By showing how truth fosters trust and cooperation, Frankfurt’s work is a strong defense for creating a culture of honesty and open communication in the workplace.


4. Encourages Accountability: The emphasis on truth aligns with professional values of accountability and responsibility, which are crucial for personal and organizational success.



Cons

1. Lacks Specific Workplace Examples: While the essay’s themes are highly relevant to work life, Frankfurt does not directly address workplace scenarios or provide concrete examples that would help readers apply his ideas more practically.


2. Overly Philosophical for Some Audiences: Though concise, the book is still rooted in philosophical abstraction. Readers seeking practical tools for fostering truthfulness in a workplace might find it lacking in actionable advice.


3. Simplistic Approach to Complex Problems: Frankfurt’s essay offers a broad defense of truth but doesn’t deeply engage with the complex organizational dynamics that can lead to the suppression of truth, such as power imbalances or internal politics.


4. Repetitiveness: Some readers might find Frankfurt's emphasis on truth to be repetitive, as he reiterates the same core arguments throughout the book without offering new insights that apply directly to work-life scenarios.



Conclusion

In "On Truth," Harry G. Frankfurt makes a compelling case for why truth should be valued and preserved in both personal and professional life. While the book is not explicitly focused on work environments, its message about the importance of truthfulness resonates strongly in the context of organizational ethics, leadership, and team dynamics. Though some may find it too abstract or repetitive, "On Truth" provides a philosophical foundation for the idea that honesty and transparency are essential for a healthy and productive work environment.