Intellectual dishonesty

Intellectual dishonesty is lying about or concealing one's own beliefs.

Charles Murray provides an example of liberal intellectual dishonesty:

In their heart of hearts, intellectual elites, especially liberal ones, have two nasty secrets regarding IQ. First, they really believe that IQ is the be-all and end-all of human excellence and that someone with a low IQ is inferior. Second, they are already sure that the black - white IQ difference is predominantly genetic and that this is a calamity -- such a calamity indeed that it must not be spoken about, even to oneself. To raise these issues holds a mirror up to the elites' most desperately denied inner thoughts.

Intellectual dishonesty often arises when incentives exist for people to advocate stances that they know to be wrong. For instance, handlers^{[Who says?]} of political candidates may encourage them to adopt positions that will be popular with the people, regardless of what their personal opinions may be.

• There is a tradition in politics that is similar to one in the legal profession: When evidence supports your position, make your argument based on the evidence, but when it argues against your position, ignore the evidence and appeal to emotion. [1]

See also

• Deceit

Antonym:

• Honesty