PHIL 267 - Reason, Bias & Social Networks

In this seminar, we investigate how we should believe and change society given epistemological crises such as misinformation, pervasive bias, echo chambers, and political polarization. Our main concerns include: What makes our beliefs rational or irrational? If we are biased, does that mean our moral and political beliefs are unjustified? How should we determine which experts, news sources, or social groups to trust? Are misinformation, polarization, and white and male ignorance best explained by flawed individuals or epistemic structures? What changes should we make to ourselves and society to mitigate these epistemic problems and their resulting injustices?

Credits 4

Notes
Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors, or by permission of the instructor.

Compass Attributes
Humanities, Taylor and Lane Scholars, Structures of Power and Inequality