Social Studies of Science and denialism: implications for public health Estudos Sociais da Ciência e negacionismo: implicações para a Saúde Pública Estudios Sociales de la Ciencia y el negacionismo: implicaciones para la salud pública
- 1Instituto de Medicina Social Hesio Cordeiro, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
Abstract
This article examines scientific denialism through the lens of the Social Studies of Science. We argue that, while constructionist approaches have been essential for critically analyzing scientific knowledge production, they are insufficient to address the deliberate distortion of science driven by political, economic, and ideological interests. After outlining the historical development of Social Studies of Science and its emphasis on epistemological agnosticism, the paper notes its limitations in confronting intentional campaigns designed to manufacture doubt rather than advance scientific understanding. The article reviews key denialist tactics and provides case studies - tobacco, vaccines, HIV/AIDS, and COVID-19 - that demonstrate how denialism has produced severe public health consequences. The conclusion argues for a balanced position that preserves the critical scrutiny of science while clearly distinguishing good-faith scientific critique from strategically motivated attacks on scientific consensus.
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BibTeX
@article{camargo2026social,
title = {{Social Studies of Science and denialism: implications for public health Estudos Sociais da Ciência e negacionismo: implicações para a Saúde Pública Estudios Sociales de la Ciencia y el negacionismo: implicaciones para la salud pública}},
author = {Kenneth Rochel de Camargo},
journal = {Cadernos de saude publica},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1590/0102-311xen055826},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13722033},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Social Studies of Science and denialism: implications for public health Estudos Sociais da Ciência e negacionismo: implicações para a Saúde Pública Estudios Sociales de la Ciencia y el negacionismo: implicaciones para la salud pública
AU - Kenneth Rochel de Camargo
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Cadernos de saude publica
DO - 10.1590/0102-311xen055826
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13722033
AB - This article examines scientific denialism through the lens of the Social Studies of Science. We argue that, while constructionist approaches have been essential for critically analyzing scientific knowledge production, they are insufficient to address the deliberate distortion of science driven by political, economic, and ideological interests. After outlining the historical development of Social Studies of Science and its emphasis on epistemological agnosticism, the paper notes its limitations in confronting intentional campaigns designed to manufacture doubt rather than advance scientific understanding. The article reviews key denialist tactics and provides case studies - tobacco, vaccines, HIV/AIDS, and COVID-19 - that demonstrate how denialism has produced severe public health consequences. The conclusion argues for a balanced position that preserves the critical scrutiny of science while clearly distinguishing good-faith scientific critique from strategically motivated attacks on scientific consensus.
SN - 0102-311X
SN - 1678-4464
ER -