Scotosis: Truth We’d Rather Not See
In our lives, there are certain truths or facts we’d rather not see. Maybe it’s the plight of the homeless in our own city or the reality of climate change, wealth inequality, or the dangers of addictive drugs. When we choose to ignore these issues, even if we know they’re important, we’re falling into a trap called scotosis—a kind of willful blindness or intellectual blockage. Scotosis can prevent us from making good decisions for ourselves and for society, and learning to recognize it can help us grow in wisdom, compassion, and accountability.
Scotosis is a term that emerged within the last century to describe the willful ignorance or selective blindness that we, individually or collectively, often display when facing inconvenient truths. It’s more than just not seeing something; it’s choosing not to see it, sometimes even unconsciously. Scotosis usually happens when a certain fact or idea challenges our beliefs, threatens our comfort, or disrupts systems that are profitable or convenient.
Let’s consider some examples of scotosis:
The Tobacco Industry: For decades, tobacco companies suppressed research that showed the link between smoking and cancer. Although the data was there, they chose to downplay or ignore it to protect profits.
OxyContin and Purdue Pharma: Purdue Pharma played down studies showing that their drug OxyContin was highly addictive. By emphasizing its FDA approval (even though it was barely approved), they downplayed the real dangers of opioid addiction.
Climate Change Denial: Despite overwhelming scientific evidence of climate change, some groups continue to deny it. Scotosis in this case can be seen in efforts to ignore or undermine climate science.
The Homelessness Crisis: When people turn a blind eye to homelessness, labeling it as a “not in my backyard” (NIMBY) issue, they’re choosing not to confront the larger systems that contribute to housing insecurity.
Each of these examples illustrates how scotosis isn’t about a simple lack of information. It’s about ignoring or even hiding information because it feels threatening or inconvenient.
Scotosis often arises from a combination of psychological, social, and economic factors:
Comfort Zones: Accepting some truths would require us to step out of our comfort zones, admit mistakes, or make sacrifices.
Social Influence: If an issue is minimized by those around us (like climate change denial in certain communities), it’s easier to ignore it ourselves.
Economic Interests: Corporations and powerful groups sometimes have a vested interest in keeping certain information quiet. It’s much easier to keep making money if people aren’t aware of the harms involved.
When we engage in scotosis, we shield ourselves from truths that might cause discomfort, even if deep down, we know that seeing the truth could ultimately benefit ourselves and others.
When we ignore or downplay essential truths, our ability to make well-rounded, ethical decisions weakens. This blindness:
Distorts Reality: By blocking certain facts, we don’t get the full picture, which leads to flawed judgments and actions.
Limits Growth: Accepting uncomfortable truths often leads to growth and learning. If we refuse to confront them, we miss out on this chance to improve ourselves and our society.
Harms Others: Scotosis can have serious consequences. Ignoring the risks of addiction, climate change, or poverty leads to real harm for individuals and communities.
By recognizing scotosis in ourselves and our society, we can become more accountable and make decisions that reflect empathy, justice, and long-term well-being.
Scotosis can be difficult to confront, especially when it involves issues that are uncomfortable or that threaten our beliefs. Here are a few ways we can work to overcome this bias:
Practice Intellectual Humility: Embrace the fact that we don’t know everything and that some of our beliefs could be wrong. Intellectual humility opens the door to learning and growth.
Seek Out Diverse Perspectives: When we listen to those with different experiences or viewpoints, it challenges our blind spots and gives us a broader understanding of complex issues.
Stay Informed: Make an effort to learn about the issues affecting our communities and our world, especially if they don’t directly impact us. Being informed is a powerful antidote to ignorance.
Ask Yourself Hard Questions: When we feel resistant to an idea, it’s worth asking why. Is it because the idea is untrue, or because it’s inconvenient? Is there evidence to support the other side?
Be Willing to Change Your Mind: Admitting we were wrong can be uncomfortable, but it’s essential for growth. Being open to change is a key part of overcoming scotosis.
Ultimately, scotosis reminds us of the importance of self-awareness. By being vigilant about the truths we might be avoiding, we can work toward a better, more informed way of living—one where our decisions are driven by integrity, not by convenience.
