Post-truth politics poses a specific problem for critical theories. The problem is that the relativisation of facts – the claim that knowledge is merely a product of power, history, and perspective – is a core aspect of present-day ideological thinking. Critical theories have been unable to respond to this challenge, because their critique has been directed against the opposite claim, namely the naturalisation of facts. While acknowledging this problem, this article argues that post-truth discourse actually combines relativisation and naturalisation. It does not simply relativise truth, but also naturalises the belief in specific ‘facts’ – notably the belief that ‘conspiracies are behind it all’. Once we recognise the twin character of post-truth, we must reject the view of Bruno Latour and others who have made critique responsible for the crisis. Instead, it then becomes apparent that there are deep and disconcerting similarities between post-truth politics and the totalitarian and authoritarian ideologies of the twentieth century. The task of critique is to confront and counter this resurgent ideology, thereby providing direction and orientation in the struggle for emancipation.

中文翻译：

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后真相政治时代的批判任务

后真相政治对批判理论提出了一个特殊的问题。问题在于，事实的相对化——声称知识仅仅是权力、历史和观点的产物——是当今意识形态思维的核心方面。批判理论无法应对这一挑战，因为他们的批判针对的是相反的主张，即事实的自然化。在承认这个问题的同时，本文认为后真相话语实际上结合了相对化和自然化。它不仅使真理相对化，而且使对特定“事实”的信念自然化——尤其是“阴谋背后”的信念。一旦我们认识到后真相的双重特征，我们就必须拒绝布鲁诺·拉图尔和其他让批评为危机负责的人的观点。相反，很明显，后真相政治与 20 世纪的极权主义和威权主义意识形态之间存在着深刻而令人不安的相似之处。批判的任务是对抗和反击这种复苏的意识形态，从而为解放斗争提供方向和方向。