{"id":710,"date":"2025-06-27T16:00:10","date_gmt":"2025-06-27T15:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/genai\/?p=710"},"modified":"2025-11-06T16:19:48","modified_gmt":"2025-11-06T16:19:48","slug":"how-can-we-counter-fake-news-a-philosophical-approach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/genai\/2025\/06\/27\/how-can-we-counter-fake-news-a-philosophical-approach\/","title":{"rendered":"How can we counter fake news? A philosophical approach"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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What is misinformation? Why do \u201cecho-chambers\u201d form? How can we combat belief in online conspiracy theories?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One way of exploring these concepts is to take a philosophical approach that draws upon our humanity and our understanding of the world around us and appeals to the intellectual virtues. <\/strong>By cultivating these virtues, we can avoid some of the pitfalls and challenges of the information age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are Intellectual Virtues?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Intellectual virtues are praiseworthy character traits, attitudes and dispositions that better enable us to acquire knowledge and the truth. In short, they make us more responsible inquirers<\/strong>. Everyday examples include things like open-mindedness<\/strong>, diligence<\/strong>, and intellectual curiosity<\/strong>, amongst many others. Open-minded people tend to be open to views different from their own; diligent people are careful to check their evidence; and intellectually curious people are willing to ask difficult questions to arrive at the truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do the virtues relate to information, misinformation and disinformation?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A key characteristic of information<\/strong> is that it has to be accurate and true. When we talk about misinformation, <\/strong>we mean it as information that represents something in a different way from the way it is in reality. So misinformation is inaccurate information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When misinformation is part of an intention to deceive, we call it disinformation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this context, the term \u2018fake news\u2019 is widely used, although it is unclear what this term exactly means. The idea of \u2018fake news\u2019 has two dimensions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. whether the information is true or not. Fake news can still disseminate items that are true, but present them in a way that is intended to deceive or mislead, for example by presenting one view of an issue, or implying a false connection between data.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. the truthfulness of the attitude of the person spreading the information. People who spread fake news may intend to deceive or may simply be indifferent to whether information is true.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    The common factor here is the intention to mislead the audience and the impact can be the development of false beliefs by promoting inaccurate information or keeping the audience in the dark about an issue. The audience may think it has been informed, but in fact, it has been misled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Dangers of mis-and disinformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Mis- and disinformation is widespread and dangerous and can result in a range of physical, emotional, financial harms. It can undermine democracy because it subverts people\u2019s ability to make informed decisions, for example in elections. The internet and AI facilitate the easier creation and spread of disinformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Strategies to combat disinformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    There are several ways we can begin to combat disinformation: i) enact media regulation ii) check facts and use lie detection iii) cultivate intellectual virtues, such as humility, conscientiousness, honesty. The first two involve wider engagement from organisations and bodies often out of our control; however, the third relates to how we absorb and process information individually. Individually, we can be sensitive to information, sceptical, curious and critical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This post draws upon a free course \u2018Navigating the Information Age I: concepts\u2019 that is available on Blackboard (see link below) for anyone to self-enrol. The course can be worked through individually or used as a resource in teaching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The ideas in this post come from a resource created by Prof Genia Sch\u00f6nbaumsfeld, in the Department of Philosophy, called \u2018Navigating the Information Age\u2019. This extract summarises the ideas of Prof. Sven Bernecker (University of California, Irvine), a collaborator on the resource. He discusses how cultivating the virtues of diligence and intellectual curiosity can help us better distinguish information from mis- and disinformation in more detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Bite-sized task<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Step 1 – learn<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Consider the ideas summarised in this post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Step 2 – do<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Think about how you would answer these questions or use them to generate discussion. You may wish to try this with your students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n