The Dangerous Effects of Anti-Intellectualism in American Life
It has become increasingly evident that anti-intellectualism is a rising trend in American society, with serious ramifications for the nation as a whole. Anti-intellectualism is defined as a disdain or mistrust of intellectual or academic knowledge, often fueled by a belief that practical experience and common sense are more valuable in decision-making than knowledge gained from higher education.
This trend has resulted in a society where expertise is often disregarded or even rejected, leading to poor decision-making and a lack of informed discourse on important issues. In this article, we will examine the dangerous effects of anti-intellectualism on American life and society.
The Dangers of Ignoring Expertise
When anti-intellectualism dominates a society, knowledge-based thinking and expertise are disregarded or even considered unimportant. This can lead to a lack of informed decision making and the promotion of policies that fail to address critical issues.
One such issue is climate change. Despite overwhelming scientific evidence, anti-intellectualism has led some policymakers to reject the idea of global warming altogether. This has resulted in a failure to act on climate change and an inability to implement policies that could mitigate its impacts.
Another area of concern is public health. During the COVID-19 pandemic, anti-intellectualism led some to reject scientific guidance around mask-wearing and social distancing. This has resulted in an increase in COVID-19 cases and deaths, as well as prolonged economic shutdowns.
The Disregard for Evidence-Based Decision Making
Anti-intellectualism frequently results in an aversion to evidence-based decision making. In the absence of evidence, public policies can be based purely on political ideology or personal opinion. This can have serious consequences, impairing public trust in the decision-making process and making it harder to achieve consensus on important issues.
For example, in 2018 the Trump Administration proposed a rule change that would have rolled back protections for transgender individuals in the US healthcare system. Evidence-based research had shown that transgender individuals face higher levels of discrimination and healthcare disparities than the general population, yet this evidence was largely ignored in the proposed policy change.
The Consequences for Democracy
Anti-intellectualism also poses a significant threat to democratic societies. When expertise is dismissed or disregarded, decision making can become heavily influenced by factors such as political ideology or even personal prejudice. This undermines the fundamental basis of democracy – that policies should be informed by the will of the people and reflect the interests of society as a whole.
For example, we can see a rejection of expertise that is reflected in the election and appointment of politicians who lack experience, knowledge and expertise. These politicians can be all style and no substance. Anti- intellectualism inhibits public discourse and fosters division, preventing the cultivation of well-informed opinions and critical thinking.
Conclusion
Anti-intellectualism is a growing trend in American society – a trend that threatens to undermine the foundations of democracy and the pursuit of knowledge. By disregarding expertise and evidence-based decision-making, we are preventing the development of informed policies and critical thinking. As a society, we need to re-affirm the importance of knowledge and expertise, and work to promote a better informed and more thoughtful approach to decision-making. Only then can we hope to address the pressing issues facing our nation and the world.
