Author Description
News is vital for a healthy democracy. Collective decision-making requires accurate, reliable information. Nevertheless, much of the information we encounter is inadequate for this task. And some--peddled by politicians, profiteers, bots and algorithms--is fake. Social media platforms and emerging technologies allow fake news to dominate our information landscape. An adequate understanding our current information landscape calls for a new discipline, the epistemology of fake news. The epistemology of fake news studies knowledge communication under imperfect conditions. This book is the first sustained inquiry into the new epistemology of fake news. The chapters, authored by established and emerging names in the field, pursue three goals. First, to analyse the meaning and novelty of 'fake news' and related notions, such as 'conspiracy theory.' Second, to discuss the mechanics of fake news, exploring various practices that generate or promote fake news. Third, to investigate potential therapies for fake news.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This book investigates the core question of how knowledge communication functions within an information landscape saturated by misinformation, propaganda, and algorithmic manipulation. The text serves as a foundational inquiry into the emerging discipline of the epistemology of fake news, bringing together various scholars to define the parameters of the field. By examining the mechanics of information dissemination and proposing potential remedies, the authors establish a framework for understanding how democratic societies can maintain epistemic integrity in the digital age.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Definitions and conceptual analysis of fake news and conspiracy theories
- Exploration of the mechanics behind the generation and promotion of misinformation
- Proposed therapeutic interventions and strategies for mitigating the impact of fake news
- Multi-disciplinary perspectives from established and emerging scholars in philosophy and communication
Scope Limits
- Does not provide a comprehensive technical manual for algorithmic auditing
- Does not focus on the legal or legislative history of media regulation
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts identify this work as a primary academic resource for those seeking to formalize the study of misinformation within philosophical discourse. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is tailored for students and researchers in epistemology and media theory.
Page Count:
382
Publication Date:
2021-01-01
Publisher:
OUP Oxford
ISBN-10:
0192609424
ISBN-13:
9780192609427
Philosophy
Technology
Epistemology
Media Studies
Communication