Knowledge Resistance: How We Avoid Insight from Others - Hardcover

Klintman, Mikael

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1526135205 ISBN 13: 9781526135209

Publisher: Manchester University Press, 2019

Synopsis

Why do people and groups ignore, deny, and resist knowledge about society’s many problems? In a world of ‘alternative facts’ and ‘fake news’, which some believe could be remedied by ‘factfulness’, the question has never been more pressing. After years of ideologically polarised debates on this topic, this book seeks to further advance our understanding of the phenomenon of knowledge resistance by integrating insights from the social, economic and evolutionary sciences. It identifies simplistic views in public and scholarly debates about what facts, knowledge and human motivations are and what ‘rational’ use of information actually means. The examples presented include controversies about nature–nurture, climate change, gender roles, vaccination, genetically modified food and artificial intelligence. Drawing on cutting-edge scholarship as well as personal experiences of culture clashes, Knowledge resistance is aimed at the general public as well as students and scholars interested in the interface of human motivation and the urgent social problems we face today.

About this title

About the Author

Mikael Klintman is Professor of Sociology at the University of Lund, Sweden, Visiting Scholar at the Centre for Philosophy of Natural and Social Science, London School of Economics and Political Science and a former Wallenberg Fellow of Environment and Sustainability at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA. -- .

From the Back Cover

Endorsements (back cover):

'At all levels of society, our world is becoming increasingly dominated by an inability, even refusal, to engage with others' ideas. It does not bode well either for democracy or for science. Mikael Klintman's book offers just the kind of in-depth exploration of the issues that surround this disturbing phenomenon that is desperately needed.'

R. I. M. Dunbar, Professor of Evolutionary Psychology at Oxford University and author of Grooming, Gossip and the Evolution of Language

'Mikael Klintman provides a thoughtful, wide-ranging, and imaginative analysis of the interwoven factors that obstruct the transmission of accurate information. He shows how such practices as avoidance, blocking, and conscious rejection of arguments and factual evidence can serve both harmful and protective roles, and helpfully evaluates strategies for individuals and groups to cut back on damaging types of knowledge resistance.'

Sissela Bok, Professor of Philosophy, Harvard School of Public Health, winner of the Orwell award for Lying: Moral Choice in Public and Private Life

'Few things could be more important right now than trying to shed new light on "knowledge resistance" in the Internet age. It may not be a new phenomenon, but the way it impacts on our lives today, it is an existential threat to humanity. Mikael Klintman's book provides valuable perspectives on knowledge resistance and suggests how we, as individuals and societies, could find ways to manage and prevent its harmful forms.'

Björn Ulvaeus, songwriter, producer and member of the Swedish pop group ABBA and tireless promotor of critical thinking in the spirit of the Enlightenment

'A must-read, especially in these turbulent times. An insightful approach to a complex issue.'

Nazli Choucri, Professor of Political Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Blurb (front flap):

Why do people and groups ignore, deny, and resist knowledge about society's many problems? In a world of 'alternative facts' and 'fake news', which some believe could be remedied by 'factfulness', the question has never been more pressing. After years of ideologically polarised debates on this topic, this book seeks to further advance our understanding of the phenomenon of knowledge resistance by integrating insights from the social, economic and evolutionary sciences. It identifies simplistic views in public and scholarly debates about what facts, knowledge and human motivations are and what 'rational' use of information actually means. The examples presented include controversies about nature-nurture, climate change, gender roles, vaccination, genetically modified food and artificial intelligence. Drawing on cutting-edge scholarship as well as personal experiences of culture clashes, Knowledge resistance is aimed at the general public as well as students and scholars interested in the interface of human motivation and the urgent social problems we face today.

Author affiliation (rear flap):

Mikael Klintman is Professor of Sociology at the University of Lund, Sweden; Visiting Scholar at the Centre for Philosophy of Natural and Social Science, London School of Economics and Political Science; and a former Wallenberg Fellow of Environment and Sustainability at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA

From the Inside Flap

Endorsements (back cover): At all levels of society, our world is becoming increasingly dominated by an inability, even refusal, to engage with others ideas. It does not bode well either for democracy or for science. Mikael Klintman s book offers just the kind of in-depth exploration of the issues that surround this disturbing phenomenon that is desperately needed. R. I. M. Dunbar, Professor of Evolutionary Psychology at Oxford University and author of Grooming, Gossip and the Evolution of Language'Mikael Klintman provides a thoughtful, wide-ranging, and imaginative analysis of the interwoven factors that obstruct the transmission of accurate information. He shows how such practices as avoidance, blocking, and conscious rejection of arguments and factual evidence can serve both harmful and protective roles, and helpfully evaluates strategies for individuals and groups to cut back on damaging types of knowledge resistance.'Sissela Bok, Professor of Philosophy, Harvard School of Public Health, winner of the Orwell award for Lying: Moral Choice in Public and Private Life Few things could be more important right now than trying to shed new light on knowledge resistance in the Internet age. It may not be a new phenomenon, but the way it impacts on our lives today, it is an existential threat to humanity. Mikael Klintman s book provides valuable perspectives on knowledge resistance and suggests how we, as individuals and societies, could find ways to manage and prevent its harmful forms. Björn Ulvaeus, songwriter, producer and member of the Swedish pop group ABBA and tireless promotor of critical thinking in the spirit of the Enlightenment A must-read, especially in these turbulent times. An insightful approach to a complex issue. Nazli Choucri, Professor of Political Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Blurb (front flap): Why do people and groups ignore, deny, and resist knowledge about society s many problems? In a world of alternative facts and fake news , which some believe could be remedied by factfulness , the question has never been more pressing. After years of ideologically polarised debates on this topic, this book seeks to further advance our understanding of the phenomenon of knowledge resistance by integrating insights from the social, economic and evolutionary sciences. It identifies simplistic views in public and scholarly debates about what facts, knowledge and human motivations are and what rational use of information actually means. The examples presented include controversies about nature nurture, climate change, gender roles, vaccination, genetically modified food and artificial intelligence. Drawing on cutting-edge scholarship as well as personal experiences of culture clashes, Knowledge resistance is aimed at the general public as well as students and scholars interested in the interface of human motivation and the urgent social problems we face today. Author affiliation (rear flap): Mikael Klintman is Professor of Sociology at the University of Lund, Sweden; Visiting Scholar at the Centre for Philosophy of Natural and Social Science, London School of Economics and Political Science; and a former Wallenberg Fellow of Environment and Sustainability at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA

Edition details

• Publisher: Manchester University Press
• Publication date: 2019
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1526135205
• ISBN 13: 9781526135209
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 264