Anti-Science: Shortcuts to a Big Idea

By Dariusz Jemielniak

Tackling the critical issue of the growing skepticism towards science, this volume explores the complex forces driving the anti-science movement. It dissects the phenomenon of increasing anti-science advocates using academic research boosted by lived experiences fighting online disinformation.

The book focuses on the alarming erosion of trust in scientific authority. It highlights how misinformation, the politicization of scientific issues, an epistemic revolution of knowledge hierarchies, and a cultural shift toward prioritizing personal beliefs over facts have contributed to this trend. It explores the implications of a society increasingly skeptical of scientific expertise, driven by the rapid spread of misinformation on digital platforms and a deepening distrust in traditional institutions. Illuminating the path that led us here, the author advocates for the importance of critical thinking and digital literacy as tools to combat misinformation. This volume is not just an analysis of the current state of skepticism toward science; it is a call to action, encouraging a recommitment to the values of scientific inquiry and evidence-based decision-making in an age marked by doubt.

Both theoretically informed and accessibly written, the book will appeal to students, academics, and general readers, alike.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1041212984
• ISBN13: 9781041212980
• Release Date: August 2026
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 168 Pages