I agree that there's simpler, clear-cut dishonesty in literal Ponzi frauds. That's why I speak of an analogy here, not of an identity. But there's plenty of more complex self-deception in mainstream societies. As consumers, for instance, we fool ourselves in lots of ways. We suspend our disbelief or ignore contrary evidence to save us from cognitive dissonance.

Meat-eaters, for instance, know the harm they're doing to the planet, and if they saw how badly the animals are treated in industrial farms, most likely couldn't bring themselves to eat those animals. So we put it out of our mind, and we pretend the situation is otherwise so we can enjoy our tasty meals. Is that consciousness of guilt, fit for a court of law? Well, this is philosophy, not such a court.

Some mainstream opinions may not be bullshit, but lots of our secular myths will seem absurd centuries from now, just as we dismiss ancient superstitions as having been so many preposterous, dishonourable excuses.