Book description
Bestselling author Chris Mooney uses cutting-edge research to explain
the
psychology
behind why today's Republicans reject reality-it's just part of who
they are.
From climate change to evolution, the rejection of
mainstream science among Republicans is growing, as is the denial of
expert consensus on the economy, American history, foreign policy and
much more. Why won't Republicans accept things that most experts agree
on? Why are they constantly fighting against the facts?
Science writer Chris Mooney explores brain scans, polls, and
psychology experiments to explain why conservatives today believe more
wrong things; appear more likely than Democrats to oppose new
ideas and less likely to change their beliefs in the face of
new facts; and sometimes respond to compelling evidence by doubling
down on their current beliefs.
-
Goes beyond the standard claims about ignorance or corporate
malfeasance to discover the real, scientific reasons why
Republicans reject the widely accepted findings of mainstream
science, economics, and history-as well as many undeniable
policy facts (e. g., there were no “death panels” in the health
care bill).
-
Explains that the political parties reflect personality
traits and psychological needs-with Republicans more wedded to
certainty, Democrats to novelty-and this is the root of our
divide over reality.
-
Written by the author of The Republican War on
Science, which was the first and still the most influential
book to look at conservative rejection of scientific evidence.
But the rejection of science is just the beginning…
Certain to spark discussion and debate, The Republican Brain
also promises to add to the lengthy list of persuasive scientific
findings that Republicans reject and deny.
Chris Mooney is the bestselling author of The
Republican War on Science, the host of the "Point of
Inquiry" podcast, and the author of "The Intersection"
blog for Science Progress. In addition to three books, in the past he
has written for Mother Jones, the American Prospect,
Harper's, the Washington Post, USA Today, and
Slate. He has appeared on The Last Word, The Daily
Show, The Colbert Report, Book TV, Science
Friday, Morning Joe, and Fresh Air, among other
programs.
