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 state of societal turmoil where there is a widespread erosion of trust in traditional sources of knowledge, leading to a destabilization of commonly accepted truths and the rise of misinformation, disinformation, and polarization[^1^]. This crisis is primarily characterized by a breakdown in the ability of society to agree on basic facts[^2^].

The cause of the epistemic crisis is multifaceted, with both societal and technological factors playing a significant role. Societally, there has been a breakdown in trust in elites and institutions, driven by perceived failures and a loss of credibility[^3^]. Technologically, the rise of social media and the internet has enabled the rapid spread of misinformation, with algorithms often favoring extreme and divisive content[^2^].

Some examples of elite failure that have contributed to the epistemic crisis include the 2008 financial crisis, where the perceived lack of accountability for big banks eroded public trust[^4^]. Another example is the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, where conflicting and constantly changing information from experts and authorities led to public confusion and a loss of trust[^5^].

However, it's worth noting that some authors have diverging views on the specific causes and effects of the epistemic crisis. For instance, Harris argues that the media's tendency to move in unison and echo certain narratives, sometimes without sufficient fact-checking, has played a significant role in the erosion of public trust[^7^]. On the other hand, Kahn emphasizes the role of cognitive biases and the inability of individuals to accurately process and interpret information on their own[^5^].

The public discourse around the epistemic crisis is heated and complex, with many arguing over the best ways to restore trust in institutions and combat misinformation. Some argue for stronger regulation of social media platforms, while others emphasize the importance of improving media literacy and critical thinking skills in the general public[^2^][^5^].

[^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 [^7^]: https://www.persuasion.community/p/why-the-media-moves-in-unison