We live in divisive political times. Of course, there has always been political disagreement. But in the past division seemed easier to understand. Two people might disagree on values – for example with one person placing more emphasis than the other on equality rather than liberty. What’s so disturbing about current politics is that opposing sides seem to disagree about very basic facts. Indeed, many people seem to believe things which are patently untrue. So what’s going on? Michael Hannon teaches at Nottingham University.

Michael Hannon is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the University of Nottingham. He is also a Visiting Research Fellow on the ‘Knowledgeable Democracy’ project in Amsterdam, as well as an Honorary Fellow at the Institute of Philosophy in London. He holds a British Academy Rising Star Award for a project on 'The Role of Truth in Politics'. This allowed him to create the Political Epistemology Network. He received my PhD from the University of Cambridge (King’s College).Oxford University Press published his book, What's the Point of Knowledge? His next book is tentatively titled How Politics Makes Us Stupid. It is intended for wide readership and impact beyond academia.