It’s tempting to think of anti-science sentiments, such as the current pushback against COVID vaccination, as the disparate sum of misinformed individuals. But Lee McIntyre, author of the recent book, How to Talk To A Science Denier, has found otherwise.
“All science denial is really organized. It’s a campaign,” explains McIntyre. “And as a campaign it deserves some pushback, which is what I do.”
In this Purple Principle Part Two of our Holiday Survival Kit, we learn from Lee McIntyre how artful pushback must be to reach skeptical counterparts with identities defined by anti-science belief.
In the episode, we first discuss Lee’s background in the philosophy of science, then his decision to leave the relative comfort of scholarly research to engage with science deniers. Here he learns firsthand the surprisingly common elements across such disparate groups as flat earthers, GMO skeptics, and anti-vaxxers.
“They all followed the same reasoning strategy,” McIntrye tells us. “They cherry-picked facts, believed in conspiracy theories, engaged in illogical reasoning, relied on fake experts, and thought that science had to be perfect in order to be believed.”
Do you have friends, colleagues, or family members prone to anti-science beliefs?
Then join us on Episode Two of the Celebration & Polarization, Holiday Survival Kit: When Anti-Science Makes the Menu for helpful insights from Philosopher of Science, Lee McIntyre. His latest book, How to Talk to A Science Denier, comes at a time when these difficult discussions are vital to our families, our workplaces, and our democracy.
SHOW NOTES
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Our Guests
Lee McIntyre: Website, Twitter
How to Talk to a Science Denier: Purchase
Additional Resources
The 5 Characteristics of Scientific Denialism
Focus Group: Exploring GOP Views on Vaccines
Rising Out Of Hatred by Eli Saslow
Combatting Cult Mind Control by Steven Hassan
Fact Checks
The CDC does not recommend wearing a face mask outdoors unless you are in a large gathering or in close proximity.
While there have been some published studies that were interpreted as suggesting GMOs may be harmful to health if ingested, other scientists have pointed out the errors in the methods or interpretation, and the general scientific consensus is that consuming GMOs has not been shown to be harmful to health.
Documented reports of missed menstrual cycles after COVID vaccine administration are common enough that it is currently under investigation. However, typically menstruation returns after one missed cycle and there has yet to be any evidence that Covid vaccines affect fertility. Missed menstruation is also common amongst women who have had COVID.
A recent study suggests that the benefits of taking a daily dose of aspirin outweighs the risk of bleeding problems only for people with specific risk factors, such as high blood pressure.
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