Abomination in politics: An Analysis on Youth’s Political Participation using Harry Frankfurt’s Concept of Bullshit

Abstract

The development within the society is a product of dialectical process. The continued tension of thesis, antithesis and synthesis is a manifestation of an active social order. Politics is one of the expressions of dialectic where people in the society deliberates for their well-being. Apart from expression of dialectic, politics is also one of the vital activities in the society for it holds power. In this social activity, youth took their part by voicing out their sentiments believing that the voices can contribute for the welfare. In this sense, there is a tension whether this participation of the youth in politics is accommodating or not. This opus will venture to the stand where the political participation of the numerous youths is not cooperative to the integrity of politics. This effort is not devaluing the opinions of the youth but it only encourages the truthfulness and correct way of participating in the world of politics. The stand will be justified by paralleling it to Harry Frankfurt’s idea of bullshit and bullshitters where he gave meaning to bullshit as misrepresentation of truth. The parallelism between the reckless participation of numerous youths in politics and Frankfurt’s philosophy will present a constructive criticism that hopes to elevate the value of youth’s right conduct and honest activity in politics. This study tends to justify that numerous youths are bullshitters in the realm of politics and it must be suspected and suspended for it abolishes the discreteness and integrity of politics.