Anti-intellectualism to Anti-rationalism to Post-truth Era: The Challenges for Higher Education

Anti-intellectualism has evolved into anti-rationalism, posing a threat to rationality in American society. American higher education should promote the development of personal attributes such as a rational mind-set and rationalist identity to combat anti-rationalism and the post-truth world. Scholarship across disciplines provides insights into the personal attributes that constitute a rational mind-set, including evaluativist personal epistemology, open-mindedness, and conscientiousness.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 31 January 2022
Publisher: Lexington Books

The article, "Anti-intellectualism to Anti-rationalism to Post-truth Era: The Challenges for Higher Education," delves into the evolving landscape of American society, where anti-intellectualism has transitioned into anti-rationalism, posing significant challenges to higher education. The author argues that the emergence of a post-truth world is a testament to the growing influence of anti-rationalism, which threatens our collective commitment to rationality. While a post-truth world may seem irreversible, the author contends that it is not an acceptable status quo. American higher education must take responsibility for addressing anti-rationalism by fostering the development of personal attributes that constitute a rational mind-set and rationalist identity. These attributes include an evaluativist personal epistemology, open-mindedness, conscientiousness, and a commitment to seeking truth and the value of critical thought and reasoned discourse.

Scholarship across various disciplines has explored anti-intellectualism and anti-rationalism in American society, shedding light on the personal attributes that form a rational mind-set. These attributes include an evaluativist personal epistemology, which emphasizes the importance of evidence-based reasoning; open-mindedness, which encourages the exploration of different perspectives; conscientiousness, which promotes ethical decision-making; and a rationalist identity, which upholds the importance of logical reasoning and intellectual integrity.

The author of the article brings a psychological perspective to the analysis and synthesis of this scholarship, emphasizing the implications for educational practices that effectively promote the development of student's rational mind-set and rationalist identity. By cultivating these attributes, higher education can equip students with the tools they need to navigate the challenges of a post-truth world and contribute to a more rational and informed society.

In conclusion, the article highlights the urgent need for higher education to address anti-rationalism and promote the development of a rational mind-set and rationalist identity among students. By fostering an environment that values critical thinking, evidence-based reasoning, and intellectual integrity, higher education can help prepare students for the challenges of a rapidly changing world and contribute to the betterment of society as a whole.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781793653321