Truth Still Matters (And Here's Why)

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Jan 27, 2026

A tour of how people conflate meaning, stories and confidence with facts. Thought experiments and historical examples show why factual truth shapes actions. Discussions cover Bayesian updating, when to demand extraordinary evidence, and distinguishing empirical claims from mythic or moral meanings. Topics also include consciousness, free will, UFO evidence, and why changing your mind is a strength.

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INSIGHT

Truth Prevents Dangerous Mass Action

Truth matters because believing falsehoods can drive mass action with real harms, like the January 6th riot.
Rationality and skepticism act as societal defenses against organized irrationalism and mob action.

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ADVICE

Treat Truth As Provisional And Evidence-Based

Define truth provisionally and update beliefs when evidence changes; changing your mind is a virtue.
Demand evidence for claims and dismiss assertions made without testable support.

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ANECDOTE

Sagan's Invisible Dragon Example

Shermer retells Sagan's invisible dragon thought experiment to show unfalsifiable claims are equivalent to no claim at all.
He uses Hitchens' dictum: claims asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.

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Dedication to Daniel Dennett

01:35 • 1min

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Why Truth Matters: Thought Experiments

03:01 • 2min

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Feynman's Principle and Truth Defined

04:56 • 5min

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Sagan's Dragon and Burden of Proof

10:11 • 4min

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Active Open-Mindedness & Superforecasting

14:04 • 4min

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Causality, Confounds, and College Value

17:38 • 3min

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Bayesian Reasoning and Changing Your Mind

20:39 • 2min

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Coincidences, Law of Large Numbers

22:16 • 5min

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Religious and Mythic Truths

27:21 • 3min

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On the Resurrection: Evidence and Meaning

29:52 • 2min

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Historical Truth and Holocaust Denial

31:56 • 54sec

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Morality: Moral Realism Argument

32:51 • 3min

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Deriving Ethical Principles

36:19 • 3min

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Aliens, UAPs, and Evidence Standards

39:34 • 3min

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Consciousness: Easy vs. Hard Problems

42:40 • 3min

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Free Will: Compatibilist Perspective

45:37 • 5min

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The God Question and Philosophical Arguments

The Matthew Effect: How Advantage Begets Further Advantage is a book by sociologist Daniel Rigney that explores the Matthew effect, a social phenomenon where those who already have advantages tend to accumulate more over time. Named after the biblical verse Matthew 25:29 ("For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance"), the book examines how initial advantages in various fields, such as education, wealth, and social status, lead to further opportunities and success. Rigney analyzes the mechanisms through which this effect operates, highlighting the cumulative impact of small advantages. He also discusses the implications of the Matthew effect for social inequality and mobility. The book provides insights into how early advantages can shape long-term outcomes and perpetuate disparities.

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Superforecasting

The Art and Science of Prediction

Dan Gardner

Philip E. Tetlock

Santiago Foz (argentino)

In this book, Tetlock and Gardner present the results of the Good Judgment Project, a massive forecasting tournament that identified a small group of 'superforecasters' who are exceptionally good at predicting future events. The authors explain that good forecasting does not require powerful computers or arcane methods but involves gathering evidence from various sources, thinking probabilistically, working in teams, keeping score, and being willing to admit error and change course. The book uses stories of forecasting successes and failures, as well as interviews with high-level decision makers, to illustrate these principles and demonstrate how anyone can improve their forecasting abilities.

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Truth

Neil Strauss

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Why People Believe Weird Things

Pseudoscience, Superstition, and Other Confusions of Our Time

Stephen Jay Gould

Michael Shermer

In this book, Michael Shermer critically examines various forms of pseudoscience, superstition, and paranormal beliefs. The book is divided into five segments and fifteen chapters, covering topics such as UFO sightings, alien abductions, creationism, Holocaust denial, and cult behaviors. Shermer uses the scientific method to refute these beliefs and explains how cognitive biases and cultural influences lead people to believe in unproven claims. The foreword by Stephen Jay Gould underscores the importance of skepticism in combating organized irrationalism.

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The Demon-Haunted World

Carl Sagan

In 'The Demon-Haunted World,' Carl Sagan warns about the dangers of a scientifically illiterate society. He argues that the rise of pseudoscience and superstition threatens our ability to make informed decisions and undermines the foundations of democracy. The book advocates for the use of critical and skeptical thinking, presenting a 'baloney detection kit' to help readers distinguish between scientific evidence and pseudoscientific claims. Sagan discusses various forms of pseudoscience, including UFO sightings, astrology, and faith healing, and emphasizes the importance of science education and literacy in navigating the complexities of the modern world.

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• Mentioned in 6 episodes

Heaven on Earth

The Rise, Fall, and Afterlife of Socialism

Joshua Muravchik

In this book, Joshua Muravchik provides a comprehensive history of socialism, from its early theorists to its global implementations and eventual collapse. He argues that socialism was an attempt to supplant religion with a scientific doctrine, but it consistently failed to deliver on its promises of abundance and the creation of a 'New Man'. The book also examines the 'afterlife' of socialism, noting its resurgence in popularity despite its historical failures. Muravchik delves into the stories of key thinkers and leaders, as well as experiments like the kibbutz, to explain why socialism spread so widely and why it ultimately failed.

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• Mentioned in 2 episodes

UFOs

Richard Dolan

In this episode, Michael Shermer walks through the core ideas behind his new book Truth: What It Is, How to Find It, and Why It Still Matters, breaking down how humans confuse meaning with reality, stories with facts, and confidence with correctness.

He also explains why changing your mind is a strength, not a flaw; why extraordinary claims really do require extraordinary evidence; and why "just asking questions" isn't as innocent as it sounds.

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"Michael Shermer reminds us that the search for truth is not a luxury, but a necessity. This book is a powerful argument for why reality matters and a practical toolkit for how to find it." ―Sabine Hossenfelder

"Michael Shermer has a fine record as a long-time crusader for evidenced rationality. This fascinating and wide-ranging book should further enhance his impact on current controversies." ―Lord Martin Rees

"Michael Shermer is one of our most influential intellectuals. Truth lances the myth of truth's subjectivity, arguing (provocatively) that truth can generate moral absolutes. This stimulating, excellent book inspires you to spread the word that the Earth is not flat and that truth matters." ―Robert Sapolsky

"Michael Shermer has spent his career grappling with the slipperiest word in our language: truth. As someone who knows firsthand what happens when truth gets lost in noise and narrative, I'm grateful for Shermer's clear-eyed insistence that truth is not only real, but necessary." ―Amanda Knox

"Michael Shermer pulls no punches: in a world where opinion too often masquerades as fact, he dismantles delusion and arms us with the tools to meet reality head-on." ―Brian Greene

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