‘Agnotology’: The Study of Ignorance
Our ways of knowing can be corrupted
We begin in ignorance when we are born. Then — because human eyes focus on what we look at, and for any number of other reasons — “we ignore almost everything. We have the focus of a predator and not the eternal watchfulness of prey.”
So said Prof. Robert Proctor, co-editor of Agnotology: The Making & Unmaking of Ignorance, during his guest appearance on Alie Ward’s “Ologies” podcast (July 8, 2020 episode: 1 hour, 8 minutes). He teaches History of Science at Stanford University and coined the term agnotology for “the study of ignorance.”
Some kinds of ignorance are “virtuous” in their intent — for example, attempts to protect privacy or maintain neutrality.
Then there’s willful ignorance regarding the causes and effects of forms of social oppression including racism and sexism.
Most of what we do notice, we forget; that’s the only way we can absorb and remember the most important information.
