Denialism

Denialism is a term used to describe a stance or movement characterized by the systematic rejection or dismissal of well-supported conclusions despite substantial and credible evidence. It is applied across domains such as climate science, public health, biology, and history. While healthy skepticism questions methods, data, or interpretations, denialism implies a persistent opposition to the fundamental findings of a field, often accompanied by selective use of evidence, misinformation, or appeals to conspiracy theories. Notable areas commonly associated with denialism include climate change denial, AIDS denialism, and Holocaust denial, among others. Holocaust denial is widely condemned and considered a form of denialism linked to antisemitism and historical fraud.

Denialism operates through several mechanisms. Motivated reasoning and identity protection lead individuals to align beliefs with group norms or political ideologies rather than with evidence. Tactics include cherry-picking data, misrepresenting statistics, creating false balance in the media, promoting pseudo-experts, and advancing unfalsifiable claims. Denialism can also exploit distrust of institutions, funding sources, or scientific consensus to justify opposition to policy measures or social change.

Critics argue that denialism undermines informed decision-making and public trust, complicates policy responses to emergencies, and poses risks to public health and safety. Academic and science-communication communities emphasize clear presentation of evidence, transparent discussion of uncertainties, engagement with affected communities, and ongoing critique of misinformation as countermeasures. Distinguishing denialism from legitimate scientific skepticism involves assessing whether the position consistently rejects robust evidence and methodologies rather than simply requesting further inquiry or clarification.