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What is the epistemic crisis?

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== Answer from Wikle ==
== Answer from Wikle ==
1) "An Epistemic Crisis" by Arnold Kling:
1) Arnold Kling's "An Epistemic Crisis"
- What is the epistemic crisis?
The epistemic crisis, as defined by Arnold Kling, refers to the difficulty that people are experiencing in deciding whom or what to believe in the realm of socio-political debates and discussions. It's an issue of knowledge and belief, where various segments of society have divergent, often incompatible, interpretations of reality.


- What is the cause of the epistemic crisis?  
- What is the epistemic crisis?
The cause of this crisis, according to Kling, is the polarization of society's intellectual classes, each with its own set of beliefs and norms. This has led to a fragmentation of the sources of information, making it difficult for people to discern the truth from a multitude of conflicting narratives. The media, academia, and other institutions no longer serve as a unified source of knowledge, leading to an "epistemic crisis."
The epistemic crisis, as described in this article, refers to the crisis in epistemology, the study of knowledge and justified belief. Arnold Kling identifies the crisis as the increasing polarization and tribalism in society, where different groups form distinct narratives and believe only information that supports their existing beliefs, rejecting what contradicts them. This crisis is characterized by a lack of trust in institutions and a decline in shared narratives and mutual understanding.
 
- What is the cause of the epistemic crisis?
According to the article, the cause of the epistemic crisis is the rise of social media and the Internet. These platforms allow individuals to create their own information bubbles and echo chambers, leading to increased polarization. Additionally, the decline in trust in traditional institutions and authorities also contributes to the crisis.
 
2) Conspicuous Cognition's "America's Epistemological Crisis"
 
- What is the epistemic crisis?
In this piece, the epistemic crisis is described as a state of national division and disagreement over basic facts and reality. People are living in entirely different informational worlds, leading to a fractured public discourse and the inability to reach consensus on important issues.
 
- What is the cause of the epistemic crisis?
The article suggests that the crisis is primarily due to the rise of "information warfare," where individuals and groups use misinformation and disinformation to advance their agendas. The proliferation of social media and digital platforms has made it easier for "bad actors" to spread false information, leading to confusion and division.
 
3) Conspicuous Cognition's "Elite Failures and Populist Backlash"


2) "America's Epistemological Crisis" on Conspicuous Cognition:
- What is the epistemic crisis?
- What is the epistemic crisis?
The epistemic crisis highlighted here refers to the division and disagreement in the United States about basic facts and truths. It's not just about political differences, but rather about fundamental disagreements on what constitutes knowledge and truth, leading to a fractured and contentious state of public discourse.
In this context, the epistemic crisis is the breakdown in the public's trust and faith in elites, institutions, and expert knowledge. This article also emphasizes the populist backlash as part of the crisis, where the public increasingly rejects the narratives and expertise of the elites and institutions.


- What is the cause of the epistemic crisis?  
- What is the cause of the epistemic crisis?
The post attributes the cause of this crisis to the rise of the internet and social media, which have disrupted traditional gatekeepers of knowledge and information. This has led to the proliferation of misinformation, conspiracy theories, and fake news. The crisis is further aggravated by political polarization, with different factions having their own versions of reality. These factors combined have created a situation where consensus on basic facts and reality is hard to achieve, leading to an epistemological crisis.
The article blames the epistemic crisis on the failures of elites and institutions. It argues that a series of blunders and mistakes by these entities have eroded public trust. These failures include the Iraq War, the financial crisis, and the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The public perceives these as evidence of elite incompetence or malfeasance, leading to the rejection of expert knowledge and the rise of populist sentiments.

Revision as of 14:38, 24 April 2025

Question

  • What is the epistemic crisis?
  • What is the cause of the epistemic crisis?

Sources

Answer from Wikle

1) Arnold Kling's "An Epistemic Crisis"

- What is the epistemic crisis? The epistemic crisis, as described in this article, refers to the crisis in epistemology, the study of knowledge and justified belief. Arnold Kling identifies the crisis as the increasing polarization and tribalism in society, where different groups form distinct narratives and believe only information that supports their existing beliefs, rejecting what contradicts them. This crisis is characterized by a lack of trust in institutions and a decline in shared narratives and mutual understanding.

- What is the cause of the epistemic crisis? According to the article, the cause of the epistemic crisis is the rise of social media and the Internet. These platforms allow individuals to create their own information bubbles and echo chambers, leading to increased polarization. Additionally, the decline in trust in traditional institutions and authorities also contributes to the crisis.

2) Conspicuous Cognition's "America's Epistemological Crisis"

- What is the epistemic crisis? In this piece, the epistemic crisis is described as a state of national division and disagreement over basic facts and reality. People are living in entirely different informational worlds, leading to a fractured public discourse and the inability to reach consensus on important issues.

- What is the cause of the epistemic crisis? The article suggests that the crisis is primarily due to the rise of "information warfare," where individuals and groups use misinformation and disinformation to advance their agendas. The proliferation of social media and digital platforms has made it easier for "bad actors" to spread false information, leading to confusion and division.

3) Conspicuous Cognition's "Elite Failures and Populist Backlash"

- What is the epistemic crisis? In this context, the epistemic crisis is the breakdown in the public's trust and faith in elites, institutions, and expert knowledge. This article also emphasizes the populist backlash as part of the crisis, where the public increasingly rejects the narratives and expertise of the elites and institutions.

- What is the cause of the epistemic crisis? The article blames the epistemic crisis on the failures of elites and institutions. It argues that a series of blunders and mistakes by these entities have eroded public trust. These failures include the Iraq War, the financial crisis, and the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The public perceives these as evidence of elite incompetence or malfeasance, leading to the rejection of expert knowledge and the rise of populist sentiments.