How to take non-knowledge seriously, or "the unexpected virtue of ignorance". (April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nielsen, Kristian H.; Sørensen, Mads P.
• Is Part Of: Public understanding of science. Volume 26:Number 3(2017)
• Page Start: 385
• Page End: 392
• Publication Date: 2017-04
• Subjects: ignorance -- lay expertise -- media and science -- non-knowledge -- public understanding of science -- science communication; Science news -- Periodicals; Science -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 303.483
• DOI: 10.1177/0963662515600967
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0963-6625

Abstract

This commentary argues that we need to take ignorance and non-knowledge seriously in the fields of science communication and public understanding of science. As much as we want ignorance to disappear, it seems that it is here to stay—in the sciences and in the rest of society. Drawing on the vast but scattered literature on ignorance and non-knowledge, we suggest that paying closer attention to these phenomena could be beneficial for science communicators. Despite the fact that ignorance and non-knowledge, just like knowledge, today are highly politicized fields, they may also open up for new lines of inquiry and may be key to more pluralistic and equal democratic deliberation about science and technology.