Contestation of Science, Post-truth Regimes and Emotions: A Review

This chapter delves into the significant role of emotions in contemporary epistemic conflicts, particularly within the online realm. Exploring the implicit norms and expectations governing emotional expression, known as “feelings rules”, uncovers valuable insights into the underlying power dynamics at play. Hence, it underscores the necessity of examining how emotions are moderated within online groups and the impact of societal structures on emotional expression, pointing out the gendered and racialised nature of feeling rules. By understanding the role of digital platforms in influencing emotional expression and interactional dynamics, this chapter suggests that we can gain deeper insights into the mechanisms of epistemic conflicts and misinformation spread. Contemporary epistemic conflicts are characterised not only by the increased accessibility to science-related discussion through the web, but also by the active role of politics—and, particularly, far-right actors. The chapter argues that focusing on how emotions circulate, on how the feeling rules towards science are established in online epistemic conflicts, and on the role of political actors would be particularly fruitful, because doing so enables us to analyse the transformations in the public attitudes towards science, as well as the social and political implications of these transformations.