What is epistemic vulnerability?
Epistemic vulnerability is a way to conceptualize the state of societies—and by extension citizens—resulting from the current crisis of information.
To be more specific, epistemic vulnerability refers to the decline or distortion of the value and authority that citizens traditionally ascribe to political information.
In practice, a country is epistemically vulnerable when its citizens believe they are continuously exposed to false information, don’t trust the professional news media, and feel so disoriented that they are unable to recognize what is true or false.
What are the consequences of epistemic vulnerability?
Understanding epistemic vulnerability is crucial because it directly affects how we all engage in society and make decisions about our future. When people can't trust the information they receive, or struggle to distinguish true from false, it leads to a host of problems that weaken the fabric of our democracy.
TUNING OUT
For instance, if citizens are continuously fed misinformation, they might become less involved in civic activities or even withdraw from political participation altogether. This disengagement can lead to political apathy, where people feel that their contributions or votes don't matter.
EXTREMIST VIEWS & DIVISION
Moreover, when misinformation reigns, extreme ideologies can take root, and conspiracy theories may become more appealing. People might start forming groups based purely on shared misconceptions rather than facts, leading to increased polarization within society. This division makes it hard to achieve consensus on important issues, slowing down or blocking effective governance.
THREATS TO DEMOCRACY
In severe cases, if people believe that their democratic institutions are no longer legitimate or fail to represent their interests due to the pervasive misinformation, it could threaten the stability of the entire political system. This is partly what happened on January 6, 2021 when hundreds of Trump supporters, who believed conspiracy theories that said the election had been rigged, stormed the US Capitol.
Thus, tackling epistemic vulnerability is not just about ensuring accurate information but is essential for maintaining active, informed citizenship and the overall health of our democracy.
