Willful blindness

In 'Willful Blindness', Margaret Heffernan delves into the psychology behind why people and institutions often choose to ignore or overlook evident, harmful information or truths.

The book uses real-world examples such as the Enron scandal, the Catholic Church sexual abuse cases, and the BP oil spill to explain how willful blindness develops and its consequences.

Heffernan discusses various factors contributing to this phenomenon, including cognitive dissonance, obedience to authority, love, fear, and the need for social acceptance.

She argues that while willful blindness is a natural human tendency, it is possible to overcome it through intention and attention, and by challenging biases and encouraging debate.