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The Dissenter
#1048 Mona Simion: Why Do People Resist Evidence?
Jan 20, 2025
Dr. Mona Simion, a Professor of Philosophy and Director of the COGITO Epistemology Research Centre at the University of Glasgow, dives into the intriguing topic of resistance to evidence. She explains the phenomenon of epistemic vigilance and how it affects belief formation. The conversation highlights critical decision-making processes, such as climate change and vaccination, while discussing virtue-responsibilism. Additionally, they tackle the challenges posed by misinformation and the need for better communication strategies to enhance trust in scientific evidence.
01:10:34
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Quick takeaways
- Resistance to evidence cannot be uniformly deemed irrational, as individuals may have legitimate reasons for rejecting conflicting information from credible sources.
- A collaboration between epistemology and psychology is essential to understand the normative distinctions between rational and irrational belief systems in the context of evidence resistance.
Deep dives
Understanding Resistance to Evidence
Resistance to evidence is a complex phenomenon that cannot be uniformly classified as irrational. People rejecting scientific evidence may do so for legitimate reasons, like conflicting information from credible sources. Doctor Mona Simeon differentiates between irrational resistance and rational evidence rejection, asserting that a philosophical approach helps clarify these distinctions. By understanding the nuanced motivations behind evidence resistance, one can better address the challenges related to accepting scientific findings.
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