Denialism

From Issuepedia

Contents 1 About 1.1 Examples 2 Links 2.1 Reference 2.2 News

[edit] About

Denialism is the repeated re-use of already-defeated but otherwise persuasive arguments -- an implicit denial that there are any valid counter-arguments. Denialism works when such arguments are presented to audiences which are either naive (unaware of the counter-arguments) or willing (being pre-disposed to agree -- "wanting to believe").

Denialist arguments typically have a strong emotional component, enhancing their reproductive fitness through memic evangelism.

This technique generally works best on those whose upbringing has been steeped in ideological protectionism, which renders them unlikely to use rational inquiry to verify information they receive in certain contexts (e.g. at a function sanctioned by appropriate authority, or by an authority-figure).

Nonetheless, it is also possible for skeptical minds to be ensnared in denialism by the use of straw-man packing and possibly other similarly subtle techniques.

[edit] Examples

• global warming denial
• creationism / intelligent design
• 9/11 anomaly denial

[edit] Links

[edit] Reference

• Wikipedia
• RationalWiki
• LessWrong Wiki may have a differently-named but equivalent term (2009-12-12)
• Conservapedia denies the existence of denialism (2009-12-12)
• dKosopedia no information (2009-12-12)
• SourceWatch no equivalent page; try searching (2009-12-12)

[edit] News

[refresh]

• 2009-04-23 :more:talk: Industry Ignored Its Scientists on Climate § “a document filed in a federal lawsuit demonstrates that even as the coalition worked to sway opinion, its own scientific and technical experts were advising that the science backing the role of greenhouse gases in global warming could not be refuted.” more...