The Certainty Illusion
What You Don't Know and Why It Matters
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The Certainty Illusion
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Narrated by:
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Timothy Caulfield
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Tyrone Savage
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Written by:
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Timothy Caulfield
About this listen
In a world where there is so much conflicting information about how we are supposed to live, what can we really know?
Knowing the truth, what’s real from what’s fake, should be easy. In today’s world, that’s far from the case. In The Certainty Illusion, Timothy Caulfield lifts the curtain on the forces contributing to our information chaos and unpacks why it’s so difficult—sometimes even for experts—to escape the fake.
Whether it’s science, our own desire to be good and do the right thing, or the stories and opinions of others, there’s more to sussing out the truth than simply tracking down what feels like an authoritative source. Caulfield argues that these major forces—science, goodness, and opinion—drive beliefs and behaviour, but the ways that they can be corrupted, or worse, used to nefarious ends by bad actors, are endless.
While it may feel, at times, as though we are circling the drain of truth, especially as new technologies make it even easier to spread dangerous fictions, Caulfield pulls us out of the vortex and keeps us afloat, helping us recognize and combat the forces that threaten to pull us under.
©2025 Timothy Caulfield (P)2025 Allen LaneWhat the critics say
“The Certainty Illusion is a brilliant and accessible deep dive into the complexities of our modern misinformation crisis. Caulfield masterfully unpacks how we often confuse data with knowledge, offering readers a clear, actionable guide to discerning fact from fiction in a world overflowing with conflicting information. Whether navigating health advice, social issues, or daily news, this essential read empowers you to think critically and avoid the traps of certainty. It's a must-have for anyone looking to sharpen their understanding in an age of confusion.”—Dr. Jen Gunter, bestselling author of The Menopause Manifesto
“Caulfield has written the antidote for the chaos that has overwhelmed any attempt to understand what is news and what is fiction, and how to approach the very creation and apprehension of Knowledge. An indispensable book for anyone who wants to avoid believing things that just ain't so.”—Daniel J. Levitin, neuroscientist and bestselling author of A Field Guide to Lies and The Organized Mind
“Timothy Caulfield, already a master at unmasking misinformation and bunk, explores one of the great paradoxes of the information age: we have more access to knowledge than at any time in history, yet less certainty than ever about what’s real and true. In The Certainty Illusion, he offers readers—and social media users—a searing analysis of this post-truth quagmire, and practical and timely tips for forging a path out of the noise-filled chaos.”—André Picard, Globe and Mail health columnist and bestselling author of Neglected No More