The Certainty Illusion - by Timothy Caulfield (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

In a world where there is so much conflicting information about how we are supposed to live, what can we really know?

Knowing the truth, what's real from what's fake, should be easy. In today's world, that's far from the case. In The Certainty Illusion, Timothy Caulfield lifts the curtain on the forces contributing to our information chaos and unpacks why it's so difficult--sometimes even for experts--to escape the fake.

Whether it's science, our own desire to be good and do the right thing, or the stories and opinions of others, there's more to sussing out the truth than simply tracking down what feels like an authoritative source. Caulfield argues that these major forces--science, goodness, and opinion--drive beliefs and behaviour, but the ways that they can be corrupted, or worse, used to nefarious ends by bad actors, are endless.

While it may feel, at times, as though we are circling the drain of truth, especially as new technologies make it even easier to spread dangerous fictions, Caulfield pulls us out of the vortex and keeps us afloat, helping us recognize and combat the forces that threaten to pull us under.

Review Quotes

#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER

Praise for The Certainty Illusion

"The Certainty Illusion is a brilliant and accessible deep dive into the complexities of our modern misinformation crisis. Caulfield masterfully unpacks how we often confuse data with knowledge, offering readers a clear, actionable guide to discerning fact from fiction in a world overflowing with conflicting information. Whether navigating health advice, social issues, or daily news, this essential read empowers you to think critically and avoid the traps of certainty. It's a must-have for anyone looking to sharpen their understanding in an age of confusion."
--Dr. Jen Gunter, bestselling author of The Menopause Manifesto

"Caulfield has written the antidote for the chaos that has overwhelmed any attempt to understand what is news and what is fiction, and how to approach the very creation and apprehension of Knowledge. An indispensable book for anyone who wants to avoid believing things that just ain't so."
--Daniel J. Levitin, neuroscientist and bestselling author of A Field Guide to Lies and The Organized Mind

"Timothy Caulfield, already a master at unmasking misinformation and bunk, explores one of the great paradoxes of the information age: we have more access to knowledge than at any time in history, yet less certainty than ever about what's real and true. In The Certainty Illusion, he offers readers--and social media users--a searing analysis of this post-truth quagmire, and practical and timely tips for forging a path out of the noise-filled chaos."
--André Picard, Globe and Mail health columnist and bestselling author of Neglected No More

"Celebrities, charlatans, and even the science community: nobody is safe from Caulfield's laser focus on exposing misinformation and those who perpetuate it. The Certainty Illusion has a forever spot on my bookshelf and should be required reading for anyone who consumes health and wellness content."
--Abby Langer, RD, author of Good Food, Bad Diet

"Misinformation can kill, and we're drowning in it. In The Certainty Illusion, Timothy Caulfield throws us a lifeline of clarity, cutting through the noise with clear-eyed, evidence-based thinking. In arguably his most urgent work, Caulfield not only exposes the hazards of misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories, but also charts a clear path forward. Buy it for yourself, and for everyone you know. The truth depends on it."
--Ziya Tong, award-winning science broadcaster & author of The Reality Bubble

"The Certainty Illusion is the beacon of light that is so badly needed right now to guide us out of the modern dark ages of misinformation and to keep us from collectively losing our minds. In a way that's fun, incisive, and plain-spoken yet strongly science-informed, Timothy Caulfield wields his expertise and decades of experience as a renowned professor and science communicator to help us understand what is real and what is fake when it comes to sorting through the overwhelming amount of science and health-related information we are faced with every day. This book is as entertaining and hilarious as it is a serious and comprehensive account of how individuals and institutions can carve a helpful path forward in a chaotic information environment that is threatening our health, society, and science itself. Everyone needs to read this book to get a footing in our information landscape or they risk relying on illusion to guide their decisions."
--Jonathan N. Stea, PhD, author of Mind the Science: Saving your Mental Health from the Wellness Industry

"If you're fed up with the false promises and scams of the wellness industry, the 'fad' health hacks from influencers like the Liver King and Gywneth Paltrow, you need to read The Certainty Illusion. Timothy Caulfield does a fabulous job dissecting misinformation, but more than that, gives you a glimpse into why these false claims have taken such a hold over our society. It's time to fight fire with facts--and Caulfield does exactly that."
--Andrea Love, PhD, biomedical scientist and award-winning science communicator

"We can be thankful that there are still a few voices out there like Timothy Caulfield to remind us to check our sources and take the time to separate fact from fiction."
--Winnipeg Sun

About the Author

TIMOTHY CAULFIELD is a Professor in the Faculty of Law and the School of Public Health, and Research Director of the Health Law Institute at the University of Alberta. He has published nearly 400 academic articles on topics like stem cells, genetics, research ethics, the public representations of science, and public health policy and has won numerous academic, science communication, and writing awards. He is a Member of the Order of Canada, a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, and the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. Caulfield's previous books include The Cure for Everything, Is Gwyneth Paltrow Wrong About Everything?, and Relax: A Guide to Everyday Health Decisions with More Facts and Less Worry. He is also the co-founder of the science engagement initiative #ScienceUpFirst and has hosted and produced documentaries, including the award-winning A User's Guide to Cheating Death.