Quote: Based on evolutionary and psychological research, humans did not evolve explicitly to be "bullshitters," but rather developed complex social and communication skills that can be co-opted for deception and self-deception. The ability to lie is an evolutionary byproduct of cognitive advancements, not its primary purpose.
The evolution of lying
While the ability to deliberately mislead others is a component of sophisticated communication, deception itself exists throughout the animal kingdom. However, the human capacity for lying and "bullshitting" is unique due to our advanced social and cognitive abilities.
Simple deception: Many animals use deception for a competitive advantage, such as camouflaging themselves or faking injuries to protect their young.
Complex communication: The emergence of complex human language, likely between 50,000 and 150,000 years ago, was a major turning point. It allowed for the instruction of imagination and the development of complex social relationships, which fundamentally changed the nature of deception.
The lie and the language: According to some theories, lying and language co-evolved in a "never-ending co-evolutionary spiral". The development of language enhanced the capacity for deception, which in turn created selection pressures for better lie detection and more complex language.
The social function of deception
In addition to gaining a competitive advantage, lying and bullshit serve important social functions within human groups.
Navigating a social world: As social groups grew larger and more complex, our ancestors needed better ways to manage their relationships and reputations. Gossip and social judgment became critical for regulating behavior and maintaining group cohesion. Deception and "bullshitting" became tools for navigating these intricate dynamics.
Self-deception for social gain: Evolutionary psychologists argue that humans evolved the ability to deceive themselves in order to better deceive others. By unconsciously convincing ourselves of a false reality, we can project more confidence and avoid the cognitive load and "tells" associated with intentional lying. This self-deception can minimize consequences if the lie is exposed.
Building trust: Deception is a "relational phenomenon" that depends on an underlying assumption of trust. The very existence of lies in a cooperative society proves that there is a baseline expectation of honesty that can be exploited.
Bullshit vs. lying
The philosopher Harry Frankfurt, in his essay On Bullshit, draws a clear distinction between lying and bullshitting, which has relevance in an evolutionary context.
The liar: A liar knows the truth and intentionally seeks to conceal it. This requires an active engagement with reality.
The bullshitter: A bullshitter has no regard for the truth and simply seeks to persuade or impress others with a careless disregard for the facts. According to Frankfurt, this is more dangerous to society because it erodes the very value of truth.
While the human ability for deception may be an evolutionary development, the prevalence of "bullshitting" in modern society is arguably a consequence of living in a world of complex and often opaque information, where the truth can be ignored more easily than it can be verified.