Recorded January 5, 2026
Broadcast January 11, 2026
For a transcript of this episode, click here.
Listen on YouTube, click here.
So much of politics today is about people denying things that others know to be perfectly true. From science to economics, to religious belief, people not only wave away obvious falsities, but they proudly act inconsistently. How can someone dismiss expertise but insist on having a surgeon, when they need one? Why do some people cite research proving climate change but ignore the studies that defend genetically modified food? On this episode, we explore denialism and inconsistency, while trying to make sense of personal belief.
Adrian Bardon is Professor of Philosophy at Wake Forest University. He is the author of A Brief History of the Philosophy of Time and The Truth About Denial: Bias and Self-Deception in Science, Politics, and Religion both published by Oxford University Press.
To subscribe in another app or platform, copy and paste the following RSS feed into your program:
http://news.prairiepublic.org/podcasts/11132/rss.xml.
Follow us on our social Networks
Want more philosophy?
Listen to Philosophical Currents, a philosopher’s take on this month’s biggest news stories.
Join Ashley Thornberg as she interviews Why? Radio’s host Jack Russell Weinstein for a philosopher’s look a the news, cultural trends, and controversies everyone is talking about. No arguments, just good humored and trustworthy conversation from two people who like and respect one another. .
