Agnotology

Agnotology is the study of deliberate, culturally induced ignorance or doubt, often used to sell products, influence opinions, or gain favor by spreading inaccurate or misleading information. This concept encompasses situations where more knowledge leads to greater uncertainty. Examples include the tobacco industry's efforts to cast doubt on the health risks of smoking and the fossil fuel industry's campaign against climate change science. Stanford University professor Robert N. Proctor and others have highlighted how powerful interests use various means, such as media, corporations, and government agencies, to perpetuate ignorance. Agnotology also explores why certain knowledge is ignored or delayed, like the suppression of information about plate tectonics due to military secrecy. The term was coined in 1992 by Iain Boal and has since evolved to examine the political and social dimensions of ignorance. Overall, agnotology sheds light on how misinformation is created and perpetuated to serve specific agendas, impacting public understanding and decision-making processes.