WHY? Philosophical Discussions About Everyday Life Why Do People Deny Such Obvious Things
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Jan 11, 2026 Philosophy professor Adrian Bardon, author of The Truth About Denial, delves into the perplexing nature of human denial. He explores why people reject evident truths and how self-deception is tied to fear and identity. Bardon discusses the social constructs that shape our beliefs and the curious trend of selective expertise rejection, revealing that ideology often colors perception. He highlights the emotional roots of reasoning and shares practical strategies to combat denial, emphasizing the role of community and identity in shaping our views.
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Denial Protects Identity
- Denialism is less about factual ignorance and more about protecting identity and social commitments.
- Rejecting an obvious fact can threaten the networks that define who we are, so people resist it.
Knowledge Depends On Trust
- Most of what we believe is based on testimony and trust, not direct evidence or solitary reasoning.
- So studying real-world belief needs social science more than isolated epistemology.
Selective Trust In Experts
- Adrian Bardon compares vaccine denial with acceptance of medical care to show selective trust in experts.
- People deny consensus in some domains but accept expertise when it benefits them directly.
