What is the epistemic crisis?

Question

• What is the epistemic crisis?
• What is the cause of the epistemic crisis?
• What are some examples of elite failure the caused the epistemic crisis?

Sources

1. https://arnoldkling.substack.com/p/an-epistemic-crisis
2. https://www.conspicuouscognition.com/p/americas-epistemological-crisis
3. https://www.conspicuouscognition.com/p/elite-failures-and-populist-backlash
4. https://www.natesilver.net/p/the-expert-class-is-failing-and-so
5. https://samkahn.substack.com/p/its-the-epistemology-stupid
6. https://samharris.substack.com/p/the-reckoning
7. https://www.persuasion.community/p/why-the-media-moves-in-unison

Answer from Wikle

The epistemic crisis is a situation where individuals, communities, and societies are having a hard time discerning what is true and what is false. This crisis is characterized by misinformation, disinformation, fake news, and a general distrust in establishments that traditionally held the role of knowledge dissemination such as academia, media, and government.

The cause of the epistemic crisis, based on the sources, can be attributed to several factors. Arnold Kling suggests that the crisis is due to the elites' failure to see beyond their own perspective, leading to their misinterpretation of various events. On the other hand, Sam Harris argues that the crisis stems from a lack of intellectual honesty, where individuals are more likely to accept information that aligns with their pre-existing beliefs and reject those that do not. Nate Silver also points out that the expert class is failing because they are not willing to admit their limitations and mistakes, which damages their credibility.

Examples of elite failure that caused the epistemic crisis include the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2008 financial crisis, and the Iraq War. In these instances, the elites, including government officials, financial institutions, and media outlets, either provided misinformation or failed to effectively communicate the truth, leading to widespread confusion and mistrust.

There are conflicting views among the source authors about the solution to the crisis. While some argue for more transparency and accountability from the elites, others propose a shift in the way we consume and process information, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and skepticism.