Science denialism

Science denialism happens when people argue that established scientific laws/theories are wrong based on their subjective ideology or subjective personal beliefs and preferences.

Science denialism can also be seen through a person's hypocritical behavior where they know their behavior is harmful to themselves or others and that the scientific evidence indicates this, yet they engage in such behavior. For example, a cancer researcher who smokes or an obese/overweight medical doctor with unhealthy eating habits.

Science deniers often give weak rationalizations for their irrational statements and/or behaviors. For example, a cancer researcher who is addicted to cigarettes may say such things as "I can quit anytime I want to."

Examples

• RationalWiki.org is a politically left-leaning website that skews towards atheism/agnosticism in terms of its worldview. RationalWiki's main page purports that the purpose of the website is "Analyzing and refuting pseudoscience and the anti-science movement" and "Documenting the full range of crank ideas". In 2023, RationalWiki Moderator User: Spud, who is on the board of directors of the Rational Media Foundation, asked people to eat ultra-processed/processed/junk food despite the evidence that such food is unhealthy according to a vast collection of medical scientific evidence and that it has likely harmed a great number of people (See: Rational Media Board of Director and RationalWiki Moderater User: Spud and ultra-processed/unhealthy/junk food and Consumption of processed foods and brain impairment).

• Trent Toulouse is one of the founders of RationalWiki. He is also one of the board of trustees of the RationalMedia Foundation. A picture of an obese Trent Toulouse can be found HERE. According to medical science, obesity is a health risk.