When knowledge isn’t enough

When knowledge fails

I am not saying there’s no room for doubt on these issues. Well, about the shape of Earth there’s no room for doubt that’s worth the neural energy.  Otherwise, there is always room for doubt. But if knowledge is a tool intended to enable us to make decisions that are more likely to protect us and advance our shared interests, then it is clear that knowledge can fail us.

Many people have strongly held beliefs on a wide range of topics. That’s their right. But knowledge has consequences.  Anti-vaxxers’ refusal to get their children vaccinated because of a claim from a retracted, fraudulent paper puts all children at risk.

I would rather change anti-vaxxers’ minds, but I don’t know how to. And belief cannot be compelled.  But behavior can be. When knowledge fails, law can be asked to step in. It’s a poor substitute for knowledge, but sometimes knowledge is not enough.