Freningen Vetenskap och Folkbildning

Vetenskap och Folkbildning (VoF), or The Swedish Skeptics' Association, was founded in 1982 to promote public awareness of scientific methods and results. It publishes the quarterly journal *Folkvett* and organizes lectures on topics related to science and pseudoscience. Since 1987, VoF has annually awarded prizes for "Enlightener of the Year" and "Misleader of the Year." In 2010, the association had over 2,600 members. Current chairman Pontus Böckman is also a co-host of *The European Skeptics Podcast* and a board member of the European Council of Skeptical Organisations, while Lina Hedman serves as vice-president. Notable past chairs include Sven Ove Hansson (1982–1988) and Dan Larhammar (1998–2004). Prominent members also include ESA astronaut Christer Fuglesang. VoF is part of an international network of skeptics' associations, with the American Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI), founded in 1976, serving as a model. The organization has faced criticism from individuals and groups labeled as promoting pseudoscience or deceptions. While VoF holds high esteem in academia, with several Swedish universities using its members' publications in their courses, some academics have raised concerns. Philosopher Martin Gustafsson argues that VoF exaggerates threats to rationality and wrongly portrays itself as underdogs fighting widespread superstition. He also believes the organization’s emphasis on scientific authority clashes with Enlightenment ideals of free thought. Per-Anders Forstorp criticizes VoF for representing positivism and institutionalized intolerance. Sven Ove Hansson has responded that VoF, like the broader skeptical movement, does not adhere to a specific view of science. He compares it to organizations like Amnesty International, ...