The USA Is In An Epistemological Crisis

Ontology is the branch of philosophy regarding the nature of reality. Epistemology is the branch of philosophy regarding knowledge and information: how to obtain it, its limits, and its validity. The main way we obtain knowledge about reality is indirect through sources we trust, as there is too much of it for us as individuals to obtain most of it directly. 

There is a crisis over how we are obtaining knowledge and information cultivated by the current conservative movement. It boils down to who do you trust in obtaining your knowledge about reality. Think of the difference in the mindset of a criminal defense lawyer, who is not focused on truth but on supporting the client, and a scientist, who is focused on truth and objective evidence. It is the difference between magical and science-based thinking.

The link below contains a podcast by Chris Hayes on the subject:

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/why-is-this-happening/e/76498027?autoplay=true

Epistemic Responsibility

With so much harmful magical thinking (ya, I know, that is redundant) in so many areas in our culture, the link below in an excellent presentation of intellectual or epistemic responsibility to oneself and to others. In other words, no, you cannot just believe anything you want.

Click on the link below:

The Responsibility We Have Regarding Our Beliefs