Introduction
Possible problems. Post truth prioritises emotional responses and feelings over facts and evidence-based reasoning.
Objective facts are devalued, ignored or dismissed even in the face of fact based evidence.
Description:
Post truth discards evidence and objective facts and uses emotions and pre-existing beliefs (even if they are incorrect factually) to shape opinion and policy.
Post truth can be used to manipulate information and spread mis-information. This can also be used to reinforce preexisting beliefs and biases i.e. echo chamber. (Echo chambers are where people are primarily exposed to information and opinions that reinforce their own beliefs).
Post truth can also lead to the erosion of trust in traditional institutions and moral standards and social practices.
Examples
The term “post-truth”
Refers to situations where emotional appeal, personal belief, or subjective narratives overshadow objective facts in shaping public opinion or discourse. Here are a few examples illustrating this concept:
Political Campaigns and Misinformation
During the 2016 U.S. presidential election, false stories circulated widely, such as claims about candidates’ personal lives or fabricated events (e.g., “Pizzagate”). These stories, often spread via social media, gained traction not because of evidence but because they resonated emotionally with certain audiences, influencing perceptions despite being debunked.