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
• https://www.natesilver.net/p/the-expert-class-is-failing-and-so
• https://samkahn.substack.com/p/its-the-epistemology-stupid

Answer from Wikle

The epistemic crisis, as described by the authors of these sources, refers to the breakdown or failure of established systems and institutions that are meant to provide reliable knowledge, information, and expertise. This crisis is characterized by a widespread distrust or skepticism towards experts, institutions, and the media. It is a situation where truth, facts, and knowledge are not agreed upon universally, leading to a society where misinformation and falsehoods can thrive.

Arnold Kling, in his article, attributes the epistemic crisis to the failure of the intellectual and media class to uphold its traditional gatekeeping roles. He argues that the rise of the internet and social media has disrupted the information ecosystem, enabling misinformation and conspiracy theories to spread faster and wider. He also points out that the intellectual class and the media have become more partisan and biased, leading to a loss of trust and credibility.

Nate Silver, on the other hand, identifies the cause of the epistemic crisis as the failure of the expert class. He argues that experts have lost their credibility due to their inability to predict and manage major crises, such as the 2008 financial crisis, the Iraq war, and the COVID-19 pandemic. These failures have eroded public trust in experts and institutions and fostered skepticism and cynicism.

Similarly, the author of Conspicuous Cognition identifies the cause of the epistemic crisis as the failure of elites and institutions. He argues that institutions have become more insulated and less accountable, leading to a loss of trust and legitimacy. He also points out that elites have become more disconnected from the experiences and perspectives of ordinary people, leading to a populist backlash.

In sum, while there are slight differences in emphasis, all authors agree that the epistemic crisis is largely caused by the failures of elites, institutions, and the media to uphold their roles as reliable sources of knowledge and information.