Week 24 - Intro

Question 1

What did the World Economic Forum report conclude about Misinformation?

Answer 1

That it is the number 1 threat over the next 2 years

Question 2

What are the 4 main points in the definition of sceptic?

Answer 2

1. questioning validity of something claimed to be factual
2. having a doubting attitude
3. doubting religion
4. sceptic philosophy, real knowledge is impossible

Question 3

How is true scepticism different from the thinking that characterises conspiracy beliefs?

Answer 3

A true sceptic has evidence the believe what they think, to be able to critically think. Conspirators believe something just because

Question 4

What are values and axioms and how are they threatened by false equivalences?

Answer 4

Value: Things that can be objectively observed, such as equality
Axioms: statements of facts not up for debate, such as the world is round
These are threatened by false equivalences as liars will state that the truth and truth upholding institutions are lying. They extrapolate what is claim, to mean something else

Question 5

How do BS and other forms of deception require the use of ToM?

Answer 5

Need to be aware of of others, knowing that the claim will be seen by other people

Question 6

Give definitions and example of paltering and its components: implicature and weasel words?

Answer 6

Paltering: misleading someone without lying outright, saying things that are technically the truth
Implicature: what a sentence is being used to mean, rather that what it implies.
Weasel words: the gap between literal meaning and implicature, allows you to avoid taking responsibility for what you said.

Question 7

Explain the three differences between BS and genuine evidence that make BS such a problem to combat

Answer 7

1. bullshit is easier to create than to clean up
2. requires less intelligence to create to create than to clean up
3. spreads faster than the truth

Question 8

Explain how BS, according to Frankfurt, is different from outright lying, and the difference between its persuasive and evasive forms.

Answer 8

BS different because it is what people create to impress or persuade you, without any concern for its truth
Persuasive form: aims to convey a sense of competence or authority
Evasive form: aims to avoid directly answering a question that a speaker does not want to answer

Question 9

What did Latour have to say about the concept of a “black box” in science and how does it foster error?

Answer 9

The black box is difficult, if not impossible, for the reader to penetrate. Requiring the use of specialised, expensive equipment and techniques that are time consuming and unavailable or are broadly accepted that they are not criticised to analyse it.

Question 10

How can research that depends on a “black box” be appropriately questioned even if the methods behind it are not well understood by everyone?

Answer 10

Think carefully about the data that went into the black box and what the results are. Is there bias? Is it relevant data to the problem? Do the results pass plausibility checks? Do they support the conclusion?