The Republican Brain - by Chris Mooney (Hardcover)

About the Book

Bestselling author Mooney uses brain scans, polls, and psychology experiments to explain that many Republicans have not "chosen" to reject reality--they may be just born that way.

Book Synopsis

Bestselling author Chris Mooney uses cutting-edge research to explain the psychology behind why today's Republicans reject reality-it's just part of who they are.

From climate change to evolution, the rejection of mainstream science among Republicans is growing, as is the denial of expert consensus on the economy, American history, foreign policy and much more. Why won't Republicans accept things that most experts agree on? Why are they constantly fighting against the facts?

Science writer Chris Mooney explores brain scans, polls, and psychology experiments to explain why conservatives today believe more wrong things; appear more likely than Democrats to oppose new ideas and less likely to change their beliefs in the face of new facts; and sometimes respond to compelling evidence by doubling down on their current beliefs.

• Goes beyond the standard claims about ignorance or corporate malfeasance to discover the real, scientific reasons why Republicans reject the widely accepted findings of mainstream science, economics, and history--as well as many undeniable policy facts (e.g., there were no "death panels" in the health care bill).
• Explains that the political parties reflect personality traits and psychological needs--with Republicans more wedded to certainty, Democrats to novelty--and this is the root of our divide over reality.
• Written by the author of The Republican War on Science, which was the first and still the most influential book to look at conservative rejection of scientific evidence. But the rejection of science is just the beginning...

Certain to spark discussion and debate, The Republican Brain also promises to add to the lengthy list of persuasive scientific findings that Republicans reject and deny.

From the Back Cover

Praise for the "Republican War on Science"

"Nothing short of a landmark in contemporary political reporting."
--Salon.com

"Mooney has bravely tackled a gigantic and complex topic."
--"The Washington Post"

""The Republican War on Science" does score some major hits when it takes on ideological campaigns against embryonic stem cell research and for intelligent design."
--"The New York Sun"

"Mooney's very readable, and understandably partisan, volume is the first to put the whole story, thoroughly documented, in one place."
--"Publishers Weekly" (starred review)

"Addresses a vitally important topic and gets it basically right."
--"The New York Times"

"Chris Mooney [is] one of the few journalists in the country who specialize in the now dangerous intersection of science and politics. His book is a well-researched, closely argued, and amply referenced indictment of the right wing's assault on science and scientists. In almost every instance, Republican leaders have branded the scientific mainstream as purveyors of 'junk science' and dubbed an extremist viewpoint--always at the end of the spectrum favoring big business or the religious Right--'sound science.' Rightists argue that the consensus itself is flawed. Then they encourage a debate between the consensus and the extremist naysayers, giving the two apparently equal weight. Thus, Mooney argues, it seems reasonable to split the difference or simply to argue that there is too much uncertainty to, say, ban a suspect chemical or fund a controversial form of research."
--"Scientific American"

"A careful reading of this well-researched and richly referenced work should remove any doubt that, at the highest levels of government, ideology is being advanced in the name of science, at great disservice to the American people."
--Neal Lane, former Director, National Science Foundation

Review Quotes

* "Drawing on a growing body of empirical research, he provides an intelligent, nuanced and persuasive account of how conservatives and liberals tend to differ at the level of psychology and personality" (Financial Times, April 2012)

About the Author

Chris Mooney is the bestselling author of "The Republican War on Science," the host of the "Point of Inquiry" podcast, and the author of "The Intersection" blog for Science Progress. In addition to three books, in the past he has written for "Mother Jones," the "American Prospect," "Harper's," the "Washington Post," "USA Today," and "Slate." He has appeared on "The Last Word," "The Daily Show," "The Colbert Report," "Book TV," "Science Friday," "Morning Joe," and "Fresh Air," among other programs.