Falsehoods Fly

Paul Thagard's 'Falsehoods Fly' examines the mechanisms behind information and misinformation, proposing the AIMS framework of acquisition, inference, memory, and spread to explain how true and false beliefs form and circulate.

Drawing on philosophy, cognitive science, and real-world examples (COVID-19, climate change, political propaganda), Thagard explores cognitive biases, motivated reasoning, and social media's role in amplifying falsehoods.

He outlines psychological and social interventions—critical thinking education, pre-bunking, motivational interviewing, content moderation, and political action—to reduce harm from misinformation.

The book blends theoretical insight with practical recommendations aimed at individuals, educators, platforms, and policymakers.

It emphasizes that misinformation causes real harm and offers both preventative and corrective measures to protect public health and democratic processes.