Everything about Denialism totally explained
Denialism is a term used to describe the position of governments, business groups, interest groups, or individuals who reject propositions on which a scientific consensus or widely-accepted historical evidence exists. Such groups and individuals are said to be engaging in denialism when they seek to influence policy processes and outcomes by illegitimate means. The term has been used to describe '
holocaust denial', '
AIDS denialism', and '
climate change denial' and the
creation-evolution conflict.
Brothers Mark and Chris Hoofnagle describe the term as "the employment of rhetorical tactics to give the appearance of argument or legitimate debate, when in actuality there's none. These false arguments are used when one has few or no facts to support one's viewpoint against a scientific consensus or against overwhelming evidence to the contrary. They are effective in distracting from actual useful debate using emotionally appealing, but ultimately empty and illogical assertions."
The terms "denialism" and "denialist" are therefore generally used
pejoratively, carrying the implication that the person or group so labeled denies established scientific or historical truths by dishonest means. Other synonymous terms for those holding minority opinions, without the negative connotations, include
revisionist,
skeptic,
contrarian, and
dissident.
Illegitimate Methodology and Tactics
Denialism is a form of
propaganda covering a variety of activities. It can be as simple as like-minded individuals signing letters of dissent, or as elaborate as professional grey or
black propaganda campaigns by
advertising and
marketing agencies.
Denialism can arise from personal ideologies, or desire for profit. Industry groups may seek to protect markets from damaging facts and information. Political groups may work to advance their agendas. Combinations of these may work in concert with interest groups on issues of mutual importance. Despite the disparity between these groups and the motives behind them, the tactics used by denialists are largely similar. Common features include:
- Conspiracism - Suggesting scientists have an ulterior motive for their research, or that they're part of some hidden plan or agenda.
- Selectivity - Relying upon discredited or flawed work supporting their idea while dismissing more credible work; presenting discredited or superseded papers to make a field look like it's based on weak research. The selective use of evidence by denialists includes quote mining and cherry picking.
- False experts - Citing paid, partisan scientists, or self-appointed 'experts,' often from an unrelated field, inflating favorable 'evidence' while discounting the contradictory, often while misrepresenting the significance of each.
- Impossible expectations - Seeking to prevent the implementation of sound policies or acceptance of a theory by citing the absence of 'complete' or 'absolute' knowledge.
- Misrepresentations and logical fallacies - Denialists sometimes employ logical fallacies: red herring; straw man; appeal to consequences; false analogy. An example of the misuse of analogy in arguments is the watchmaker analogy. A common misrepresentation used in the intelligent design movement is the intentional use of the term Darwinism when what is being objected to is evolution. An example of an appeal to consequences is the common neo-creationist claim that an acceptance of evolution (Darwinism) leads to social ills such as the atrocities committed by Hitler's Nazi regime. Which is furthermore, an example of cherry-picking, since Hitler also appealed to religion, germ theory, and animal husbandry.
Additional propaganda techniques that, while sometimes convincing, are not necessarily valid include:
flag-waving,
glittering generalities,
intentional vagueness,
oversimplification,
rationalization,
slogans,
stereotyping,
testimonial,
unstated assumption.
Ideological denialism
Ideologies that conflict with commonly accepted scientific theories or facts can drive their holders to engage in personal forms of denial, either to favor their personal beliefs, or to avoid having to reconcile those beliefs with contradictory evidence.
Common forms of denialism arising from ideologies are holocaust denial,
AIDS denialism, the
vaccine controversy, and the
creation-evolution controversy.
Corporate denialism
International corporations such as
ExxonMobil have been heavily criticized for contributing to scientists and scientific experimentation disputing the
scientific consensus on
global climate change.
Newsweek and
Mother Jones have published articles stating corporations are funding the
climate change denial "denial industry".
Political denialism
The current Bush Administration's replacement of previous science advisers with industry experts or scientists tied to industry, and its refusal to submit the
Kyoto Protocol for ratification due to uncertainties they assert are present in the climate change issue, have been cited as examples of politically motivated denialism in the press. The general class of
genocide denial, of which
holocaust denial is a subset, is another form of political denialism.
Conspiracy theories and cranks
Denialism also takes the form of
conspiracy theories, such as
the government blew up the World Trade Center, not terrorists, and the
Apollo Moon Landing hoax accusations.
The Hoofnagle brothers say
cranks are a common form of denialism. Chris, an attorney and consumer protection advocate, is the author of
The Denialists' Deck of Cards which defines the common attributes of denialism.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Denialism'.
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