America's Post-Truth Phenomenon: When Feelings and Opinions Trump Facts and Evidence

by C.G. Prado (Editor)

Overview

This book presents absorbing and critical expert perspectives on the post-truth phenomenon that has infiltrated the U.S. political system, media, and populace.

Deception in politics is nothing new, but the quantity of unsubstantiated statements in America today is unprecedented. False notions, fake news, "alternative facts," and opinions are being pitched from sources including the White House, Congress, and the American population via Twitter, Facebook, and online news sites as well as print, television, and radio. Such a widespread spectacle instantly captures the attention of people nationwide, but disagreement has the nation almost bordering on civil war over the definition of "the truth" and what this book calls "post-truth."

In this text, C.G. Prado and expert contributors present varied perspectives on post-truth, its authoritarian implications for the nation, and how we can approach information to differentiate between truth and post-truth. Speaking to general readers, students, and scholars alike, chapters include text on the historical and social events that initiated and developed post-truth and why some people are more prone than others to accept and perpetuate post-truth. They also discuss post-truth as a threat to democracy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781440862731
Publisher:	ABC-CLIO, Incorporated
Publication date:	04/19/2018
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	215
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

C.G. Prado is Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at Queen's University, Canada. His publications include America's Post-Truth Phenomenon and Social Media and Your Brain.

Table of Contents

Preface vii

Chapter 1 Introduction: The New Subjectivism C. G. Prado 1

Chapter 2 Truth Claims, Interpretation, and Addiction to Conviction Mark Kingwell 15

Chapter 3 Because I Say So: Media Authenticity in the Age of Post-Truth and Fake News Greg Kelly 38

Chapter 4 Post-Truth: Marcuse and New Forms of Social Control Lisa Portmess 59

Chapter 5 Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Manipulation of Crowds Sergio Sismondo 72

Chapter 6 The Post-Truth Temperament: What Makes Belief Stray from Evidence? And What Can Bring Them Back Together? Juan Pablo Bermúdez 87

Chapter 7 Reality for the People Khadija Coxon 110

Chapter 8 Truth and Trolling Jason Hannan 126

Chapter 9 Truth, Post-Truth, and Subscriptions: Consensus, Truth, and Social Norms in Algorithmic Media Alex Leitch 141

Chapter 10 Lords of Mendacity Paul Fairfield 153

Chapter 11 Losing the Feel for Truth in Post-Truth "Democracies": When Macro Data Harvesting and Micro-Targeting Befuddle Democratic Thought Chris Beeman 165

Chapter 12 Brazen New World: A Peircean Approach to Post-Truth Mark Migotti 178

Chapter 13 The Fallacy of Post-Truth Lawrie McFarlane 189

About the Editor and Contributors 201

Index 205