We looked at conspiracy theories some time ago. This is the other side of that question. Some people are clearly misled into believing all kinds of wrong, irrational and dangerous ideas - but how do we avoid such mistakes? If we are seeking truth, where do we look? Where should we look? How can we test the things we are told?
It's easy to get tied up in words here. First year philosophy students may be set, 'What is truth?' as an essay title, in the same way that they might be set 'What is freedom?' - not in the expectation of a plausible answer, but to help them achieve a little more intellectual humility and awareness of the limits of their current understanding, and as a way to shake some of their certainties. Some important related words here are 'truth', 'knowledge' and 'reality'. The branch of philosophy which deals with these topics is called 'Epistemology'. It's a massive subject, and I would like to completely avoid it if possible.
The practical problem we face is the obvious one: how do we go about seeking truth, in a world filled with so many lies? This has always been a challenge, but in a world so influenced by social media and AI, distinguishing what can be trusted - and when it can be trusted - is even more difficult. I constantly hear simple advice; many people have told me, "You can't trust the BBC." But who can we trust? And how do we go about checking claims and sources which seem legitimate?
Who - what sources of information - do you trust, and why?
(For more about this discussion, and to contribute your thoughts beforehand, please visit http://kingdompeople.pbworks.com/w/page/163839192/Meeting_260521)
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