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Dynamics of wilful blindness: an introduction

Author

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  • Bovensiepen, Judith
  • Pelkmans, Mathijs

Abstract

What are the politics of ignorance in an age of misinformation? How can the concept of ‘wilful blindness’ help us to understand the logics involved? We start the introduction to this special issue by arguing that the intrinsic instability of wilful blindness draws valuable attention to the graded nature of intentionality and perception, and the tensions between them. These features are an essential part of the workings of ignorance, as we illustrate with reference to the shifting intentions of drug couriers, the fleeting moments in which the humanity of victims is recognised in the midst of violent acts, and the affects that channel economic behaviour, such as in the subprime mortgage crisis. When approaching perception and intentionality as complexly entangled in institutionalised fields of power, ‘wilful blindness’ emerges as a powerful and critical diagnostic of the epistemic instabilities of our time.

Suggested Citation

  • Bovensiepen, Judith & Pelkmans, Mathijs, 2020. "Dynamics of wilful blindness: an introduction," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 104404, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:104404
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    File URL: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/104404/
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Keene, D.E. & Cowan, S.K. & Baker, A.C., 2015. ""When you're in a crisis like that, you don't want people to know": Mortgage strain, stigma, and mental health," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 105(5), pages 1008-1012.
    2. Ing-Haw Cheng & Sahil Raina & Wei Xiong, 2014. "Wall Street and the Housing Bubble," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 104(9), pages 2797-2829, September.
    3. David Tuckett, 2011. "Minding the Markets," Palgrave Macmillan Books, Palgrave Macmillan, number 978-0-230-30782-7, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Christophe Bonneuil & Pierre-Louis Choquet & Benjamin Franta, 2021. "Early warnings and emerging accountability: Total’s responses to global warming, 1968-2021," Post-Print halshs-03390521, HAL.
    2. Christophe Bonneuil & Pierre-Louis Choquet & Benjamin Franta, 2021. "Early warnings and emerging accountability: Total’s responses to global warming, 1968-2021," SciencePo Working papers Main halshs-03390521, HAL.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    affect; agnotology; denial; intentionality; political economy of non-knowledge; recognition; strategic ignorance; transparency;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • N0 - Economic History - - General

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