The Misinformation Age: How False Beliefs Spread

Speaker: 
Jim Weatherall
Institution: 
UCI Logic & Philosophy of Science
Date: 
Thursday, November 8, 2018
Time: 
3:30 pm
Location: 
RH 101
Abstract: 
I will discuss several related ideas from my forthcoming book with Cailin O'Connor, The Misinformation Age: How False Beliefs Spread.  The book explores how and why false beliefs, including beliefs about scientific matter of fact, persist and spread even in evidence-rich environments.  One theme will concern how industrial propagandists can use science to influence public opinion without violating any of the norms of science.  Another will concern how journalists unwittingly act as propagandists, and how this can matter even in physics.  If time permits I will also discuss belief polarization, and show how there are distinct explanations of polarization that suggest incompatible solutions.
Host: 
Kevork Abazajian
James Bullock