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“Why isn’t anyone telling us?” - En socialantropologisk studie om kunskap och antivaccin-forum online

Nilsson, Malin LU (2021) SANK02 20211
Social Anthropology
Abstract
This thesis examines conspiracy theories and the scepticism that exists concerning Covid-19 vaccines, although science today is easily accessible. The discussion revolves around what scepticism is present in anti-vaccine forums, why some people distance themselves from the current scientific debate and why they turn to internet forums to gather information. These questions will be discussed through the lens of a theoretical framework concerning a questioning of science’s epistemic authority and the prioritisation of alternate epistemic strategies, with empirical data from three anti-vaccine groups on Facebook. Illustrated by this discussion is that the scepticism leading to conspiracy theories have many different causes, which bring on... (More)
This thesis examines conspiracy theories and the scepticism that exists concerning Covid-19 vaccines, although science today is easily accessible. The discussion revolves around what scepticism is present in anti-vaccine forums, why some people distance themselves from the current scientific debate and why they turn to internet forums to gather information. These questions will be discussed through the lens of a theoretical framework concerning a questioning of science’s epistemic authority and the prioritisation of alternate epistemic strategies, with empirical data from three anti-vaccine groups on Facebook. Illustrated by this discussion is that the scepticism leading to conspiracy theories have many different causes, which bring on feelings of anger, anxiety and uncertainty. The members of the groups reject science for a number of reasons, and while doing so they challenge the epistemic authority of science. The groups then become an emotional space where needs are met and more epistemic strategies are accepted when claiming knowledge. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Nilsson, Malin LU
supervisor
organization
course
SANK02 20211
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
socialantropologi, konspirationsteorier, Covid-19, internetforum, kunskap
language
Swedish
id
9063789
date added to LUP
2021-08-26 10:47:30
date last changed
2021-08-26 10:47:30
@misc{9063789,
  abstract     = {{This thesis examines conspiracy theories and the scepticism that exists concerning Covid-19 vaccines, although science today is easily accessible. The discussion revolves around what scepticism is present in anti-vaccine forums, why some people distance themselves from the current scientific debate and why they turn to internet forums to gather information. These questions will be discussed through the lens of a theoretical framework concerning a questioning of science’s epistemic authority and the prioritisation of alternate epistemic strategies, with empirical data from three anti-vaccine groups on Facebook. Illustrated by this discussion is that the scepticism leading to conspiracy theories have many different causes, which bring on feelings of anger, anxiety and uncertainty. The members of the groups reject science for a number of reasons, and while doing so they challenge the epistemic authority of science. The groups then become an emotional space where needs are met and more epistemic strategies are accepted when claiming knowledge.}},
  author       = {{Nilsson, Malin}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{“Why isn’t anyone telling us?” - En socialantropologisk studie om kunskap och antivaccin-forum online}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}