denialism

Denialism describes the position of governments, business groups, interest groups, or individuals who reject propositions that are strongly supported by scientific or historical evidence and seek to influence policy processes and outcomes accordingly.^[1] The term has been used in relation to 'holocaust denial', 'AIDS reappraisal',^{[2][3][4][5][6]} and 'climate change denial'^[7][8][9] and the creation-evolution controversy.^[10]

The terms "denialism", "denialist" and "denier" are generally viewed by those so labeled as pejorative since they carry the implication that the person or group denies scientific or historical truths. Those to whom the term 'denialists' is applied have used terms such as 'revisionist', 'skeptic', 'contrarian', or 'dissident' to describe their own position.

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:^[11]

• Conspiracism - Suggesting scientists have an ulterior motive for their research, or that they are part of some hidden plan or agenda.^[12]
• 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upon discredited or flawed work supporting their idea while dismissing more credible work; presenting discredited or superseded papers to make a field look like it is based on weak research.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.^[13][14][15]
• 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.^[16] 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.^[17]

Common forms of denialism arising from ideologies are holocaust denial, AIDS reappraisal, the vaccine controversy, and the creation-evolution controversy.^[18]

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.^[7] ExxonMobil has strenuously denied the accusations, stating that "The recycling of this type of discredited conspiracy theory diverts attention from the real challenge at hand: how to provide the energy needed to improve global living standards while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions."^[19] Newsweek ^[20] and Mother Jones ^[21] 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.^[22][23][24] The general class of genocide denial, of which holocaust denial is a subset, is another form of political denialism.^[25]

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.

Mark and Chris Hoofnagle, brothers who have worked together in identifying the activities of activists and defining the topic, say cranks are a common form of denialist.^[26] Chris, an attorney and consumer protection advocate, is the author of The Denialists' Deck of Cards which defines the common attributes of denialism.^[27]

See also

• Denial
• Agnotology
• Anti-intellectualism
• Artificial controversy
• Astroturfing
• Disinformation
• False flag
• Fear, uncertainty and doubt
• Non-denial denial
• Obscurantism
• Politicization of science
• Politics of global warming
• Propaganda
• Revisionism

References

External links

• Smith TC, Novella SP (2007) HIV Denial in the Internet Era. PLoS Med 4(8): e256 doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.0040256 - Compares HIV denialism to other major forms of denialism.
• The denial industry, The Guardian, 19 September 2006
• ExxonSecrets.org, Using data found in Exxon official documents, this site lists those organizations that have either taken money from Exxon or that work closely with those that have, and which present unfavorable findings from other organizations as "junk science" while labelling the findings they welcome as "sound science"
• Denialism blog at Scienceblogs
• Denialists Give Up Blog.
• The Denialists' Deck of Cards explains how corporate lobbyists use denialism tactics to defeat reform legislation.
• Denialism.com A resource for identifying and refuting denialist arguments.

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