Shieber's "Nietzsche Thesis" proposes that our true aim in conversation is self-presentation and social standing, not necessarily truth-seeking
Joseph Shieber, James Renwick Hogg Professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy, was recently featured in an article for online publication Big Think.
His research challenges the idea that humans attempt, in conversations, to detect lies and gauge the reliability of others. “… our goal in conversation is not primarily to acquire truthful information… [but] self-presentation,” he contends.