In this paper I will defend the idea of the success of post-truth as one of the
main features of hypermodernity. In order to understand such a claim, I will start
by defining “post-truth” and showing the key differences that separate it from
simple manipulation or lies. I will explain how post-truth characterizes a whole
new way of understanding the difference between truth and falsity: a new attitude
of indifference to the sharp distinction that moderns and ancients had placed between these two notions. I will contend that this new attitude had been
announced by the work of at least three recent philosophers: Harry Frankfurt,
Gianni Vattimo and Mario Perniola. They give different names to “post-truth”,
though, and attribute it to different causes (from anti-intellectualism to the new
media and to sheer carelessness). After that, I will explore how two key aspects
of hypermodernity (according to Gilles Lipovetsky), i.e. hyperindividualism and
hyperconsumption, cohere with this spread of post-truth. Finally, I will summarily
refer to some political and geopolitical events that corroborate the relevance
of post-truth in our hypermodern world
