Denialism describes the position of governments, business groups, interest groups, or individuals who reject propositions that are strongly supported by scientific or historical evidence and seek to influence policy processes and outcomes accordingly.^[1] The term has been used in relation to 'holocaust denial', 'AIDS reappraisal',^{[2][3][4][5][6]} and 'climate change denial'^[7][8][9] and the creation-evolution conflict.^[10] Richard Harwoods Did Six Million Really Die? Holocaust denial is the claim that the mainstream historical version of the Holocaust is either highly exaggerated or completely falsified. ... The AIDS reappraisal movement or AIDS dissident movement, pejoratively referred to as AIDS denialism, is a loosely connected group of activists, journalists, scientists, and HIV-positive persons who dispute the scientific consensus that the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the cause of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... The creation-evolution controversy (also termed the creation vs. ...

Leading observers of denialism, brothers Mark and Chris Hoofnagle, describe it as "the employment of rhetorical tactics to give the appearance of argument or legitimate debate, when in actuality there is none. These false arguments are used when one has few or no facts to support one's viewpoint against a scientific consensus or against overwhelming evidence to the contrary. They are effective in distracting from actual useful debate using emotionally appealing, but ultimately empty and illogical assertions."^[11]

The terms "denialism", "denialist" and "denier" are generally viewed by those so labeled as pejorative since they carry the implication that the person or group denies scientific or historical truths. Those to whom the term 'denialists' is applied have used terms such as 'revisionist', 'skeptic', 'contrarian', or 'dissident' to describe their own position. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with pejoration. ... In Parson Weems Fable (1939) Grant Wood takes a sly poke at a traditional hagiographical account of George Washington Historical revisionism has both a legitimate academic use and a pejorative meaning. ... This article is about the psychological term. ... For the Pearl Jam song, see Dissident (song). ...

Methodology and Tactics

Denialism is a form of propaganda covering a variety of activities. It can be as simple as like-minded individuals signing letters of dissent, or as elaborate as professional grey or black propaganda campaigns by advertising and marketing agencies. For other uses, see Propaganda (disambiguation). ... Black propaganda is propaganda that purports to be from a source on one side of a conflict, but is actually from the opposing side. ... Advert redirects here. ... Next big thing redirects here. ...

Denialism can arise from personal ideologies, or desire for profit. Industry groups may seek to protect markets from damaging facts and information. Political groups may work to advance their agendas. Combinations of these may work in concert with interest groups on issues of mutual importance. Despite the disparity between these groups and the motives behind them, the tactics used by denialists are largely similar. Common features include:^[12]

• Conspiracism - Suggesting scientists have an ulterior motive for their research, or that they are part of some hidden plan or agenda.^[13]
• Selectivity - Relying upon discredited or flawed work supporting their idea while dismissing more credible work; presenting discredited or superseded papers to make a field look like it is based on weak research. The selective use of evidence by denialists includes quote mining and cherry picking.
• False experts - Citing paid, partisan scientists, or self-appointed 'experts,' often from an unrelated field, inflating favorable 'evidence' while discounting the contradictory, often while misrepresenting the significance of each.^[14][15][16]
• Impossible expectations - Seeking to prevent the implementation of sound policies or acceptance of a theory by citing the absence of 'complete' or 'absolute' knowledge.
• Misrepresentations and logical fallacies - Denialists sometimes employ logical fallacies: red herring; straw man; appeal to consequences; false analogy. An example of the misuse of analogy in arguments is the watchmaker analogy. A common misrepresentation used in the intelligent design movement is the intentional use of the term Darwinism when what is being objected to is evolution. An example of an appeal to consequences is the common neo-creationist claim that an acceptance of evolution (Darwinism) leads to social ills such as the atrocities committed by Hitler's Nazi regime.^[17] Which is furthermore, an example of cherry-picking, since Hitler also appealed to religion, germ theory, and animal husbandry.

Additional propaganda techniques that, while sometimes convincing, are not necessarily valid include: flag-waving, glittering generalities, intentional vagueness, oversimplification, rationalization, slogans, stereotyping, testimonial, unstated assumption. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Conspiracy theory. ... Quote mining is the practice of compiling quotes from large volumes of literature or spoken word. ... // In the literal case of harvesting cherries, or any other fruit, the picker would be expected to only select the ripest and healthiest fruits. ... An expert is someone widely recognized as a reliable source of knowledge or skill whose judgement is accorded authority and status by the public or their peers. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Fallacy. ... Look up red herring in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A straw man argument is a logical fallacy based on misrepresentation of an opponents position. ... Appeal to consequences, also known as argumentum ad consequentiam (Latin: argument to the consequences), is an argument that concludes a premise (typically a belief) to be either true or false based on whether the premise leads to desirable or undesirable consequences. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The watchmaker analogy, or watchmaker argument, is a teleological argument for the existence of God. ... The intelligent design movement is a neo-creationist religious campaign that calls for broad social, academic and political changes derived from the concept of intelligent design. ... Charles Darwin Darwinism is a term for the underlying theory in those ideas of Charles Darwin concerning evolution and natural selection. ... Neo-creationism is a movement whose goal is to restate creationism in terms more likely to be well received by the public, policy makers, educators, and the scientific community. ... Hitler redirects here. ... Nazism in history Nazi ideology Nazism and race Outside Germany Related subjects Lists Politics Portal         Nazism or National Socialism (German: Nationalsozialismus), refers primarily to the ideology and practices of the Nazi Party (National Socialist German Workers Party, German: Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei or NSDAP) under Adolf Hitler. ... // In the literal case of harvesting cherries, or any other fruit, the picker would be expected to only select the ripest and healthiest fruits. ... The germ theory of disease states that many diseases are caused by microorganisms, and that microorganisms grow by reproduction, rather than being spontaneously generated. ... Shepherd with his sheep in FăgăraÅŸ Mountains, Romania. ... For other uses, see Propaganda (disambiguation). ... Glittering generalities are emotionally appealing words so closely associated with highly valued concepts and beliefs that they carry conviction without supporting information or reason. ... For other uses, see Propaganda (disambiguation). ... The fallacy of the single cause, also known as joint effect or causal oversimplification, is a logical fallacy of causation that occurs when it is assumed that there is one, simple cause of an outcome when in reality it may have been caused by a number of only jointly sufficient... Look up Rationalization on Wiktionary, the free dictionary Rationalization can refer to more than one thing: In psychology, rationalization is the process of constructing a logical justification for a decision that was originally arrived at through a different mental process. ... A slogan is a memorable phrase used in political or commercial context as a repetitive expression of an idea or purpose. ... For the term used in Computing, see Stereotype (computing). ... In promotion and advertising, a testimonial or endorsement consists of a written or spoken statement, sometimes from a public figure, sometimes from a private citizen, extolling the virtue of some product. ... Unstated assumption is a type of propaganda message which foregoes explicitly communicating the propagandas purpose and instead states ideas derived from it. ...

Ideological denialism

Ideologies that conflict with commonly accepted scientific theories or facts can drive their holders to engage in personal forms of denial, either to favor their personal beliefs, or to avoid having to reconcile those beliefs with contradictory evidence.^[18]

Common forms of denialism arising from ideologies are holocaust denial, AIDS reappraisal, the vaccine controversy, and the creation-evolution controversy.^[19] The AIDS reappraisal movement or AIDS dissident movement, pejoratively referred to as AIDS denialism, is a loosely connected group of activists, journalists, scientists, and HIV-positive persons who dispute the scientific consensus that the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the cause of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). ... A vaccine controversy is a dispute over the morality, ethics, effectiveness, or safety of vaccination. ... The creation-evolution controversy (also termed the creation vs. ...

Corporate denialism

International corporations such as ExxonMobil have been heavily criticized for contributing to scientists and scientific experimentation disputing the scientific consensus on global climate change.^[7] ExxonMobil has strenuously denied the accusations, stating that "The recycling of this type of discredited conspiracy theory diverts attention from the real challenge at hand: how to provide the energy needed to improve global living standards while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions."^[20] Newsweek^[21] and Mother Jones^[22] have published articles stating corporations are funding the climate change denial "denial industry". For other uses, see Exon (disambiguation). ... National and international science academies and professional societies have assessed the current scientific opinion on climate change, in particular recent global warming. ... Global warming refers to the increase in the average temperature of the Earths near-surface air and oceans in recent decades and its projected continuation. ... For other uses, see Conspiracy theory (disambiguation). ... Global carbon dioxide emissions 1800–2000 Global average surface temperature 1850 to 2006 Mitigation of global warming involves taking actions aimed at reducing the extent of global warming. ... Top: Increasing atmospheric CO2 levels as measured in the atmosphere and ice cores. ... The Newsweek logo Newsweek is a weekly news magazine published in New York City and distributed throughout the United States and internationally. ... Mary Harris Jones (August 1, 1837 – November 30, 1930), better known as Mother Jones, was a prominent American labor and community organizer, and Wobbly. ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ...

Political denialism

The current Bush Administration's replacement of previous science advisers with industry experts or scientists tied to industry, and its refusal to submit the Kyoto Protocol for ratification due to uncertainties they assert are present in the climate change issue, have been cited as examples of politically motivated denialism in the press.^[23][24][25] The general class of genocide denial, of which holocaust denial is a subset, is another form of political denialism.^[26] Kyoto Protocol Opened for signature December 11, 1997 in Kyoto, Japan Entered into force February 16, 2005. ... Genocide denial occurs when an otherwise accepted act of genocide is met with attempts to deny the occurrence and minimize the scale or death toll. ... Richard Harwoods Did Six Million Really Die? Holocaust denial is the claim that the mainstream historical version of the Holocaust is either highly exaggerated or completely falsified. ...

Conspiracy theories and cranks

Denialism also takes the form of conspiracy theories, such as the government blew up the World Trade Center, not terrorists, and the Apollo Moon Landing hoax accusations. For other uses, see Conspiracy theory (disambiguation). ... Conspiracy theories have emerged which question the mainstream account of the September 11, 2001 attacks against the United States. ... Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong in NASAs training mockup of the Moon and lander module. ...

The Hoofnagle brothers say cranks are a common form of denialist.^[27] Chris, an attorney and consumer protection advocate, is the author of The Denialists' Deck of Cards which defines the common attributes of denialism.^[28] Crank is a pejorative term for a person who holds some belief which the vast majority of his contemporaries would consider false, clings to this belief in the face of all counterarguments or evidence presented to him. ...

See also

• Denial
• Agnotology
• Anti-intellectualism
• Artificial controversy
• Astroturfing
• Disinformation
• False flag
• Fear, uncertainty and doubt
• Galileo Gambit
• Non-denial denial
• Obscurantism
• Politicization of science
• Politics of global warming
• Propaganda
• Revisionism
• Tax protester
• Creation science

This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The three wise monkeys (from left to right: hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil) an icon used by Proctor and Schiebinger in their 2005 conference “Agnotology: The Cultural Production of Ignorance”. Agnotology, formerly agnatology, is a neologism for the study of culturally-induced ignorance or doubt, particularly... Anti-intellectualism describes a sentiment of hostility towards, or mistrust of, intellectuals and intellectual pursuits. ... An artificial controversy, or variously a contrived controversy, engineered controversy, fabricated controversy, or manufactured controversy, is a controversy that is claimed to not stem from genuine difference of opinion. ... For the artificial grass, see AstroTurf. ... For other uses, see Disinformation (disambiguation). ... “False colors” redirects here. ... Fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) is a sales or marketing strategy of disseminating negative (and vague) information on a competitors product. ... Non-denial denial is a term for a particular kind of equivocation; specifically, an apparent denial that appears to be direct, clearcut and unambiguous when heard, but on further examination is not a denial at all. ... Obscurantism in its current usage can imply one of two separate concepts, sometimes distinguished by capitalization: // The older sense of the term Obscurantism refers to a class of philosophies that favor limits on the extension and dissemination of scientific knowledge, believing it to be the enemy of faith. ... The politicization of science occurs when government, business or interest groups use legal or economic pressure to influence the findings of scientific research which differ from the majority view, or influence the way the research is disseminated, reported or interpreted. ... The politics of global warming looks at the current political issues relating to global warming, as well as the historical rise of global warming as a political issue. ... For other uses, see Propaganda (disambiguation). ... Historical revisionism is the attempt to change commonly held ideas about the past. ... Creation science is the attempt to find scientific evidence that would justify a literal interpretation of the Biblical account of creation. ...

References

This article uses excessive clichés and jargon associated with Richard Kim. ... The Nation (ISSN 0027-8378) is a weekly [1] U.S. periodical devoted to politics and culture, self-described as the flagship of the left. ... Ellen Holtz Goodman (born 11 April 1941 in Newton, Massachusetts) is an American journalist. ... is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... The Boston Globe (and Boston Sunday Globe) is the most widely circulated daily newspaper in Boston, Massachusetts and New England. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 242nd day of the year (243rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Anthem Ode to Joy (orchestral)  ten founding members joined subsequently observer at the Parliamentary Assembly observer at the Committee of Ministers  official candidate Seat Strasbourg, France Membership 47 European states 5 observers (Council) 3 observers (Assembly) Leaders  -  Secretary General Terry Davis  -  President of the Parliamentary Assembly Rene van der Linden... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 215th day of the year (216th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see New Yorker. ... Edwin Cameron is a Rhodes scholar and High Court judge who was the first senior South African official to admit that he was infected with HIV/AIDS. Cameron was inspired to act by the stoning and stabbing to death of Gugu Dlamini after she had admitted on a Zulu language... The Public Library of Science (PLoS) is a nonprofit open access scientific publishing project aimed at creating a library of open access journals and other scientific literature under an open content license. ... A digital object identifier (or DOI) is a standard for persistently identifying a piece of intellectual property on a digital network and associating it with related data, the metadata, in a structured extensible way. ... The Newsweek logo Newsweek is a weekly news magazine published in New York City and distributed throughout the United States and internationally. ... The Newsweek logo Newsweek is a weekly news magazine published in New York City and distributed throughout the United States and internationally. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 171st day of the year (172nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the magazine. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 195th day of the year (196th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Smith TC, Novella SP (2007) HIV Denial in the Internet Era. PLoS Med 4(8): e256 doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.0040256 - Compares HIV denialism to other major forms of denialism.
• The denial industry, The Guardian, 19 September 2006
• ExxonSecrets.org, Using data found in Exxon official documents, this site lists those organizations that have either taken money from Exxon or that work closely with those that have, and which present unfavorable findings from other organizations as "junk science" while labelling the findings they welcome as "sound science"
• Denialism blog at Scienceblogs
• Denialists Give Up Blog.
• The Denialists' Deck of Cards explains how corporate lobbyists use denialism tactics to defeat reform legislation.
• Denialism.com A resource for identifying and refuting denialist arguments.