Lee C. McIntyre Knihy

Are we in a post-truth world where "alternative facts" overshadow actual evidence? In this volume, Lee McIntyre explores the emergence of the post-truth phenomenon, tracing its roots from science denial to the rise of "fake news." He examines our psychological blind spots and the public's retreat into information silos. What defines post-truth? Is it wishful thinking, political spin, or outright lying? McIntyre analyzes recent examples, such as claims about inauguration crowd sizes and crime statistics, revealing post-truth as a tool for asserting ideological dominance, compelling belief regardless of evidence. This trend predates the 2016 election, with historical denials of scientific facts about smoking, evolution, vaccines, and climate change providing a blueprint for broader fact denial. Coupled with cognitive biases that distort our reasoning, the decline of traditional media, and the rise of social media, the conditions for post-truth flourish. McIntyre provocatively suggests that the right has appropriated postmodernism's rejection of objective truth in its attacks on science. He asserts that understanding post-truth is the first step in combating it, emphasizing the importance of addressing this phenomenon to reclaim factual discourse.

Throughout history, humans have always indulged in certain irrationalities and held some fairly wrong-headed beliefs. But in his newest book, philosopher Lee McIntyre shows how we've now reached a watershed moment for ignorance in the modern era, due to the volume of misinformation, the speed with which it can be digitally disseminated, and the savvy exploitation of our cognitive weaknesses by those who wish to advance their ideological agendas. McIntyre issues a call to fight back against this slide into the witless abyss

An argument that what makes science distinctive is its emphasis on evidence and scientists' willingness to change theories on the basis of new evidence.

"Can we change the minds of science deniers? Encounters with flat earthers, anti-vaxxers, coronavirus truthers, and others. 'Climate change is a hoax{u2014} and so is coronavirus.' 'Vaccines are bad for you.' These days, many of our fellow citizens reject scientific expertise and prefer ideology to facts. They are not merely uninformed{u2014} they are misinformed. They cite cherry-picked evidence, rely on fake experts, and believe conspiracy theories. How can we convince such people otherwise? How can we get them to change their minds and accept the facts when they don't believe in facts? In this book, Lee McIntyre shows that anyone can fight back against science deniers, and argues that it's important to do so. Science denial can kill. Drawing on his own experience{u2014} including a visit to a Flat Earth convention{u2014} as well as academic research, McIntyre outlines the common themes of science denialism, present in misinformation campaigns ranging from tobacco companies' denial in the 1950s that smoking causes lung cancer to today's anti-vaxxers. He describes attempts to use his persuasive powers as a philosopher to convert Flat Earthers; surprising discussions with coal miners; and conversations with a scientist friend about genetically modified organisms in food. McIntyre offers tools and techniques for communicating the truth and values of science, emphasizing that the most important way to reach science deniers is to talk to them calmly and respectfully--to put ourselves out there, and meet them face to face." -- Description provided by publisher

Situates warfare in its broader political, social and economic context in the Roman world, and is distinctive in integrating consideration of developments during Late Antiquity alongside those during earlier periods of Roman history. Important for all students, instructors and scholars of ancient and military history.

Angriffe auf die Wissenschaft sind alltäglich geworden: Die Erforschung des Klimawandels sei keine „anständige“ Wissenschaft, die Evolution „nur eine Theorie“, die „Wahrheit“ über Impfstoffe werde vertuscht. In diesem Buch diskutiert Lee McIntyre, was Wissenschaft von Nicht-Wissenschaft unterscheidet: der Stellenwert der Evidenz und die Bereitschaft, Theorien auf Basis neuer Evidenz zu verwerfen. Diese beiden wesentlichen Eigenschaften nennt er die „wissenschaftliche Grundhaltung“. McIntyre führt Beispiele an, die sowohl den wissenschaftlichen Erfolg (eine Verringerung des Kindbettfiebers im 19. Jahrhundert) als auch das Scheitern (die fehlerhafte „Entdeckung“ der kalten Fusion im 20. Jahrhundert) veranschaulichen. Er beschreibt den Wandel der Medizin von einer weitgehend auf Vermutungen beruhenden Praxis zu einer Wissenschaft, die sich auf Beweise stützt; er betrachtet wissenschaftlichen Betrug und untersucht die Positionen von ideologiegetriebenen Leugnern, Pseudowissenschaftlern und „Skeptikern“, die wissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse ablehnen. Das Buch macht in einer Welt der „alternativen Fakten“ klar, dass die Beachtung von Fakten ein einzigartig wirkungsvolles Instrument zur Verteidigung der Wissenschaft selbst ist.