What is the epistemic crisis?

Question

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

Sources

• https://arnoldkling.substack.com/p/an-epistemic-crisis
• https://www.conspicuouscognition.com/p/americas-epistemological-crisis
• https://www.conspicuouscognition.com/p/elite-failures-and-populist-backlash

Answer from Wikle

1) "An Epistemic Crisis" by Arnold Kling: - 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? 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."

2) "America's Epistemological Crisis" on Conspicuous Cognition: - 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.

- 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.