Denialism in Literature & Literary Theory

Denialism: Etymology, Meanings, and Concept

Etymology/Term:

“Denialism” is a term derived from “deny” and is characterized by the deliberate rejection or dismissal of established facts, scientific evidence, or widely accepted principles. The term gained prominence in the late 20th century to describe the phenomenon where individuals or groups refuse to acknowledge well-substantiated truths, often rooted in ideological, political, or emotional motivations.

Meanings and Concept:

• Refusal of Reality: Denialism involves the outright rejection of verifiable facts or evidence, reflecting a steadfast refusal to accept a reality that may challenge one’s beliefs or worldview.
• Pseudoskepticism: It manifests as a form of pseudoskepticism, where individuals may claim to be skeptics but, in reality, exhibit a biased rejection of evidence that contradicts their pre-existing convictions.
• Science and Climate Denialism: Denialism is commonly associated with the rejection of scientific consensus, such as climate change denialism, where individuals or groups dispute the overwhelming evidence supporting anthropogenic climate change.
• Historical Revisionism: In historical contexts, denialism can manifest as historical revisionism, attempting to negate or downplay well-established historical events, such as Holocaust denialism.
• Public Health Denialism: It may extend to public health issues, with instances of denialism surrounding vaccines, where individuals reject scientific consensus on their safety and efficacy.
• Psychological Defense Mechanism: Denialism is often viewed as a psychological defense mechanism, shielding individuals from cognitive dissonance by refusing to accept information that challenges their established beliefs.

Denialism: Definition of a Theoretical Term

Denialism is a theoretical term encompassing the deliberate rejection or dismissal of well-established facts, evidence, or consensus views, often driven by ideological or emotional motivations. It signifies a conscious and persistent refusal to acknowledge reality, contributing to the creation of alternative narratives that align with one’s pre-existing beliefs. In the context of various fields, from science and history to public health, denialism involves a rejection of established truths, posing challenges to constructive discourse and decision-making.

Denialism: Theorists, Works, and Argument

Theorists:

1. Stanley Cohen: In his work “States of Denial,” Cohen explores the psychological and social mechanisms behind denial, emphasizing how individuals and societies may consciously avoid acknowledging uncomfortable truths.
2. Robert N. Proctor: Proctor, in “The Nazi War on Cancer,” delves into the concept of denialism, particularly within the historical context of Nazi Germany’s suppression and distortion of scientific evidence on tobacco and cancer.

Works:

1. “States of Denial” by Stanley Cohen (2001): Cohen’s book examines the various forms of denial and their societal implications, shedding light on how individuals and communities navigate uncomfortable truths.
2. “The Nazi War on Cancer” by Robert N. Proctor (1999): Proctor’s work explores historical instances of denialism, revealing how authoritative regimes may manipulate scientific information to serve ideological agendas.

Argument:

The theorists collectively argue that denialism is not merely a passive rejection of information but an active, often strategic, process of avoiding inconvenient truths. Cohen’s emphasis on the psychological dimensions of denialism and Proctor’s historical exploration both contribute to the understanding of denial as a complex phenomenon, intertwined with power dynamics, ideology, and the human psyche. Their works collectively highlight the importance of addressing denialism for fostering informed decision-making and societal progress.

Denialism: Major Characteristics

1. Refusal of Evidence: Denialism involves a conscious and persistent rejection of well-established facts, evidence, or consensus views, even in the face of overwhelming proof or scientific consensus.
2. Ideological Motivations: Often driven by ideological, political, or emotional motivations, denialism may arise as individuals or groups resist information that challenges their pre-existing beliefs or worldviews.
3. Selective Skepticism: Denialism may exhibit a form of selective skepticism, where individuals claim to be critical thinkers but apply skepticism unevenly, dismissing evidence that contradicts their established convictions.
4. Creation of Alternative Narratives: Denialism often leads to the formulation of alternative narratives or conspiracy theories that provide a distorted version of reality, reinforcing the denialist perspective.
5. Interference with Decision-Making: Denialism can hinder constructive discourse and decision-making, particularly in fields such as science, public health, or history, where evidence-based understanding is crucial.
6. Psychological Defense Mechanism: Rooted in psychology, denialism is seen as a defense mechanism to avoid cognitive dissonance, allowing individuals to maintain a sense of internal consistency in the face of conflicting information.
7. Public Impact: Denialism, when widespread, can have significant societal consequences, impacting public policy, public health initiatives, and the overall well-being of communities by impeding informed decision-making.
8. Historical Revisionism: In historical contexts, denialism may manifest as historical revisionism, distorting or denying well-established historical events to fit a particular narrative or ideological agenda.
9. Cherry-Picking Information: Denialists often engage in cherry-picking information, selecting data or studies that support their viewpoint while ignoring or discrediting those that contradict it.
10. Resistance to Change: Denialism is marked by a resistance to change or adaptation, as individuals or groups cling to outdated or disproven beliefs, resisting the acceptance of new information or societal progress.

Denialism: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance to Denialism
Psychoanalytic Criticism	Examines denialism as a psychological defense mechanism, delving into the unconscious motivations that drive individuals to reject uncomfortable truths.
Postcolonialism	Explores denialism in the context of historical revisionism, particularly how colonial powers may distort or deny certain historical events to perpetuate a narrative of dominance.
Feminist Criticism	Analyzes denialism’s role in perpetuating gender inequalities and dismissals of women’s experiences, examining how denialist attitudes may shape or maintain patriarchal structures.
Cultural Studies	Investigates how denialism impacts cultural narratives, influencing the construction of alternative histories and challenging established cultural truths.
Historical Criticism	Examines denialism’s impact on historical narratives, questioning how distorted interpretations of the past can shape collective memory and societal understanding.
Reader-Response Criticism	Explores how denialism may influence readers’ interpretations, considering the role of denialist narratives in shaping reader engagement and perspectives.
New Historicism	Analyzes the cultural and historical contexts that give rise to denialism, examining how power dynamics and societal structures contribute to the denial of certain truths.
Critical Race Theory	Examines this term in the context of racial injustice, exploring how denial of systemic racism or historical atrocities perpetuates inequality and hinders social progress.
Queer Theory	Investigates this term related to LGBTQ+ issues, exploring how denialist attitudes contribute to the erasure of queer histories and identities.
Ecocriticism	Examines this term concerning environmental issues, exploring how narratives that dismiss ecological concerns impact literary representations of nature and the environment.

Denialism: Application in Critiques

1. 1984 by George Orwell:
   • Application: Orwell’s dystopian novel illustrates this term through the manipulation of historical records and control of information by the authoritarian regime. The denial of objective truth and fabrication of alternative narratives serve as critical elements in the critique of oppressive political systems.
2. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley:
   • Application: Huxley’s work critiques this term through societal conditioning that suppresses dissenting views and critical thinking. The denial of individuality and conformity to a controlled reality highlight the dangers of a society built on the rejection of uncomfortable truths.
3. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood:
   • Application: Atwood’s novel critiques of this term within a patriarchal dystopia where historical events are manipulated to maintain control over women. The denial of women’s agency, rewriting of history, and suppression of dissent underscore the impact of this term on societal structures.
4. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut:
   • Application: Vonnegut’s novel explores this term through its unconventional narrative structure, reflecting the protagonist’s experience of time travel and trauma. The denial of a linear understanding of time and the blurring of reality critique traditional narratives and their ability to accurately represent complex experiences.

In these Victorian-inspired novels, this term becomes a thematic element critiquing societal structures, political systems, and the manipulation of information, offering insightful commentary on the consequences of denying or distorting truth.

Denialism: Relevant Terms

Term	Definition
1. Confirmation Bias	The tendency to interpret or recall information in a way that confirms pre-existing beliefs.
2. Selective Perception	The act of selectively perceiving and interpreting information to align with existing views.
3. Cognitive Dissonance	The discomfort experienced when holding conflicting beliefs, often resolved through denial.
4. Misinformation	False or inaccurate information that contributes to the distortion of facts and realities.
5. Ideological Filter	The influence of one’s ideology on the way information is processed, leading to biased views.
6. Cherry-Picking Data	Selectively choosing data that supports one’s viewpoint while ignoring contradictory evidence.
7. Epistemic Closure	A cognitive state where individuals limit exposure to information that challenges their beliefs.
8. Revisionist History	Distorting historical facts to fit a particular narrative or ideological agenda.
9. Gaslighting	Manipulative tactics to make individuals doubt their perception of reality or memory.
10. Alternative Facts	The presentation of false information as if it were objectively true, contributing to denial.

Denialism: Suggested Readings

1. Cohen, Stanley. States of Denial: Knowing about Atrocities and Suffering. Polity Press, 2001.
2. Huxley, Aldous. Brave New World. Harper & Brothers, 1932.
3. Orwell, George. 1984. Secker & Warburg, 1949.
4. Proctor, Robert N. The Nazi War on Cancer. Princeton University Press, 1999.
5. Vonnegut, Kurt. Slaughterhouse-Five. Delacorte Press, 1969.