Disinformation: the live possibility account

Most philosophical work on disinformation builds on the assumption that it fools its victim into having false beliefs. However, empirical work on disinformation in the social sciences suggest that disinformation often works by inducing uncertainty. Taking these results seriously, I offer a non-doxastic model for understanding disinformation. According to my account, disinformation works by introducing live possibilities which the victims cannot rationally dismiss, thereby forcing a suspension of judgement and tricking them into uncertainty. In uncertainty, belief is unavailable and replaced by non-doxastic attitudes such as fear, distrust, precaution, hope, faith etc. I contrast this account with some recent alternatives, and I offer some arguments for preferring my view over belief-based alternatives. I also respond to some objections.