Junk Thought: A Definition

“The defining characteristics of junk thought, which manifests itself in the humanities and social sciences as well as the physical sciences, are anti-rationalism and contempt for countervailing facts and expert opinion. It cannot be stressed enough that junk thought emanates from both the left and right, even though each group—in academia, politics, and cultural institutions—thrives on accusing the other of being the sole source of irrationality….The real power of junk thought lies in its status as a centrist phenomenon, fueled by the American credo of tolerance that places all opinions on an equal footing and makes little effort to separate fact from opinion” (Jacoby 211).

- Jacoby, Susan. The Age of American Unreason. 2008;
from chapter titled, "Junk Thought."