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Michael Patrick Lynch

@michael-p-lynch.bsky.social

580 followers 130 following 44 posts

Philosopher. Writer. TED-talker. Sailor. @UConn. Worried about truth, democracy and the ethics of AI. New book: *On Truth in Politics: Why Democracy Demands It*

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Michael Patrick Lynch is an American philosopher who is Provost Professor of the Humanities and Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at the University of Connecticut. From 2014-2023 he was also the director of the University of Connecticut Humanities Institute. As director of the Humanities Institute, he headed a Templeton-funded project on humility and conviction in public life. .. more

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Michael Patrick Lynch @michael-p-lynch.bsky.social · Nov 23

Now available for pre-order worldwide: press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...

On Truth in Politics

The “philosopher of truth” (Jill Lepore, The New Yorker) shows why truth is an essential democratic value—and how it can be strengthened

press.princeton.edu

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Michael Patrick Lynch @michael-p-lynch.bsky.social · 28d

No — not even close. But we can do better— or worse.

Michael Patrick Lynch @michael-p-lynch.bsky.social · Aug 19

New review of On Truth in Politics @foreignaffairs.com www.foreignaffairs.com/reviews/trut...

On Truth in Politics: Why Democracy Demands It

Lynch makes an eloquent case for the importance of truth as a core but increasingly tenuous democratic value.

www.foreignaffairs.com

Michael Patrick Lynch @michael-p-lynch.bsky.social · Aug 17

That is definitely not normal!

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Reposted by Michael P. Lynch, Charles T. Mathewes

Peter Baker @peterbakernyt.bsky.social · Aug 17

When they talk about "land swaps" to end the Ukraine war, what is being swapped? Is Putin actually giving any Russian territory in exchange for the Ukrainian territory he has seized by force? Wouldn't a more accurate phrase be territorial concessions?

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Michael Patrick Lynch @michael-p-lynch.bsky.social · Aug 14

Tagging @almagro.bsky.social

Michael Patrick Lynch @michael-p-lynch.bsky.social · Aug 14

So excited to see Manuel Almagro Holgado's new book long-listed for the Royal Institute of Philosophy's Nayef Al-Rodhan International Prize in Transdisciplinary Philosophy. Congrats to Manuel and all the other long-listers! royalinstitutephilosophy.org/news/longlis...

Longlist announced for the Nayef Al-Rodhan Book Prize 2025 - Royal Institute of Philosophy

The Royal Institute of Philosophy unveils the longlist for the 2025 Nayef Al-Rodhan International Prize in Transdisciplinary Philosophy. Learn more.

royalinstitutephilosophy.org

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Michael Patrick Lynch @michael-p-lynch.bsky.social · Aug 5

Great review on On Truth in Politics in NDPR by John Capps
ndpr.nd.edu/reviews/on-t...

On Truth in Politics: Why Democracy Demands It

Michael Lynch’s On Truth in Politics: Why Democracy Demands It defends both a pluralist account of truth and the importance of truth to our ...

ndpr.nd.edu

Michael Patrick Lynch @michael-p-lynch.bsky.social · Aug 3

Indeed

Michael Patrick Lynch @michael-p-lynch.bsky.social · Aug 3

Great piece on the administration's attack on our epistemic infrastructure--and shout-out to my work-- by @peterbakernyt.bsky.social in today's paper.

Peter Baker @peterbakernyt.bsky.social · Aug 3

Trump's war on facts has reached a new level and the message is clear: Government officials who deal in data now fear they have to toe the line and adopt his version of reality no matter how false or risk losing their jobs. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/03/u...

Trump’s Efforts to Control Information Echo an Authoritarian Playbook

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Michael P. Lynch

Peter Baker @peterbakernyt.bsky.social · Aug 3

Trump’s Efforts to Control Information Echo an Authoritarian Playbook

www.nytimes.com

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Michael Patrick Lynch @michael-p-lynch.bsky.social · Aug 1

New interview on bullshit and lies in politics megaphone.link/NBNK4488676287

On Bullshit in Politics by Princeton UP Ideas Podcast

megaphone.link

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Michael Patrick Lynch @michael-p-lynch.bsky.social · Jul 28

#438 - Truth In Politics: A Dialogue with Michael P. Lynch
open.substack.com/pub/convergi...

#438 - Truth In Politics: A Dialogue with Michael P. Lynch

Listen now | In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Michael P.

open.substack.com

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Reposted by Michael P. Lynch

Xavier Bonilla @xavierbonilla.bsky.social · Jul 28

I am happy to share the conversation I had with @michael-p-lynch.bsky.social We talk about truth, politics, and many more topics! Hope everyone enjoys! open.substack.com/pub/convergi...

#438 - Truth In Politics: A Dialogue with Michael P. Lynch

Listen now | In this episode, Xavier Bonilla has a dialogue with Michael P.

open.substack.com

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Reposted by Michael P. Lynch

Princeton Audio @princetonaudio.bsky.social · Apr 15

A vital and timely book, On Truth in Politics by @michael-p-lynch.bsky.social makes an original case for why democracy cannot survive without truth.

The #audiobook is out now and available wherever you listen! 🎧📘

@tantoraudio.bsky.social

Audiobook cover of On Truth in Politics: Why Democracy Demands It by Michael Patrick Lynch, read by William Sarris

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Reposted by Michael P. Lynch

Chris Murphy @chrismurphyct.bsky.social · Apr 19

Punch a bully in the nose and see what happens

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Reposted by Michael P. Lynch

LSE Blogs @lseblogs.bsky.social · Jul 24

Can democracy survive without truth?

On Truth in Politics by philosopher @michael-p-lynch.bsky.social @princetonupress.bsky.social makes the case for why #truth is essential to #democracy and needs to be rehabilitated in the "post-truth" era.

Jeff Roquen @lsereviewofbooks.bsky.social

Does democracy need truth to survive? - LSE Review of Books

Michael Patrick Lynch's On Truth in Politics explores different philosophical interpretations of truth and argues that truth is essential to democracy.

blogs.lse.ac.uk

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Michael Patrick Lynch @michael-p-lynch.bsky.social · Jul 23

New review of On Truth in Politics

LSE Review of Books @lsereviewofbooks.bsky.social · Jul 21

NEW✨ On Truth in Politics: Why Democracy Demands It by philosopher @michael-p-lynch.bsky.social @princetonupress.bsky.social makes the case for why #truth is essential to #democracy and needs to be rehabilitated in the "post-truth" era.

#Review by Jeff Roquen 👇

Does democracy need truth to survive? - LSE Review of Books

Michael Patrick Lynch's On Truth in Politics explores different philosophical interpretations of truth and argues that truth is essential to democracy.

blogs.lse.ac.uk

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Reposted by Michael P. Lynch

LSE Review of Books @lsereviewofbooks.bsky.social · Jul 21

Does democracy need truth to survive? - LSE Review of Books

Michael Patrick Lynch's On Truth in Politics explores different philosophical interpretations of truth and argues that truth is essential to democracy.

blogs.lse.ac.uk

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Reposted by Lewis R. Gordon, Timothy Graham

Michael Patrick Lynch @michael-p-lynch.bsky.social · Jul 2

Democracy and the pursuit of truth are twin values and must be defended together. www.skeptic.com/michael-sher...

Can Politics and Truth Coexist?

New on the podcast: Do any of us really care about truth when it comes to politics? Should we? Michael Patrick Lynch explains. Listen now.

www.skeptic.com

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Reposted by Michael P. Lynch

FiloLab @filolab.bsky.social · Jun 13

El 11 de junio Neftalí Villanueva, director de FiloLab, intervino en el workshop “Truth, Politics, and Disagreement”, dedicado al último libro de @michael-p-lynch.bsky.social, que participó en el evento.

Una valiosa contribución al diálogo filosófico internacional sobre verdad, política y disenso.

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Reposted by Michael P. Lynch

Institute of Art and Ideas @iai.tv · Jun 13

“To change your convictions means changing the kind of person you want to be. It means changing your self-identity. And that is not just hard, it is scary,” argues @michael-p-lynch.bsky.social‬ Tap to read more. | iai.tv/articles/why...

#philsky #psychsky

Why evidence won't change your convictions | Michael Lynch

Convictions are integral to our identity, which is why they so rarely change. We should all beware of mistaking our tribal values for our reasoned beliefs, warns philosopher Michael Lynch.

iai.tv

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Reposted by Michael P. Lynch

The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · Jun 1

🤔

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Michael Patrick Lynch @michael-p-lynch.bsky.social · May 7

Talking about why truth matters for democratic politics: www.youtube.com/live/l0CSl4o...

On Truth in Politics: Why Democracy Demands It

YouTube video by The 92nd Street Y, New York

www.youtube.com

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Michael Patrick Lynch @michael-p-lynch.bsky.social · May 5

The hits to our epistemic infrastructure just keep coming. Expect this effort to go national shortly: wapo.st/4d48IaK

Texas lawmakers moving to greatly increase control of state universities

Opponents say a bill to end “ideological bias” in higher education would amount to a damaging takeover of public institutions, with nationwide implications.

wapo.st

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Michael Patrick Lynch @michael-p-lynch.bsky.social · May 5

Join me to talk about On Truth in Politics: Why Democracy Demands It www.92ny.org/event/on-tru...

www.92ny.org

Reposted by Michael P. Lynch

Craig Newmark @craignewmark.bsky.social · May 1

Join 92NY for a Newmark Civic Life Series event with @michael-p-lynch.bsky.social and @roberttalisse.bsky.social for a conversation on the relationship between truth and democracy. Attend online 5/5- 7 PM ET www.92ny.org/event/on-tru...

www.92ny.org

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Michael Patrick Lynch @michael-p-lynch.bsky.social · May 1

Join me tonight @92ndstreety.bsky.social talking about why truth is the enemy of the tyrant: On Truth in Politics: Why Democracy Demands It url:https://www.92ny.org/event/on-truth-in-politics

Reposted by Michael P. Lynch

Chris Murphy @chrismurphyct.bsky.social · May 1

Here it is. A timetable of 100 days of corruption.

Breathtaking. Heartbreaking.

We cannot let this stand.

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Michael Patrick Lynch @michael-p-lynch.bsky.social · Apr 30

92nd st. Y tomorrow night: On Truth in Politics: Why Democracy Demands It url:https://www.92ny.org/event/on-truth-in-politics

Reposted by Michael P. Lynch

Princeton University Press @princetonupress.bsky.social · Apr 28

Philosopher John Dewey warned about the dangers of authoritarian falsehoods, which create a "state of daze" that allows leaders to manipulate the public. This contempt for truth erodes democratic principles. Read more from Michael Patrick Lynch in Ideas. press.princeton.edu/ideas/when-d...

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