Are you free to make informed decisions in a world where truth is neglected?
In this philosophical essay Daniel Müller explores the ideas and concepts of the philosopher Harry Frankfurt on autonomy, the capacity to make informed and deliberate decisions, and bullshit, statements where the producer does not care about the truth value of said statement, intentionally or not.
Frankfurt’s definitions of both terms are being discussed, their relation to each other and they are applied to pressing societal problems that come with the increased spread of fake news. Furthermore, you will be introduced to Daniel’s own ideas on autonomy and possible solutions for overcoming the ‘bullshit trap’.
Spoiler Alert:
In a well-functioning democracy, individuals may be responsible for what information they consume, and an openness to knowledge may be a necessity for literate citizens. This openness may only be achieved by trust and community, as we rely on the affective component of knowledge much more than we think.
Good to know:
- Interest in the debate on freedom and autonomy, what it entails for personhood and agency.
Course:
Philosophy – Essay for ‘Dimensions of Autonomy’ taught by Uwe Meyer. WT 2020/21
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Daniel Müller
“The philosophy of autonomy is not only important theoretically, as it deals with one of the pillars of being an ethical subject or legally responsible, but its importance reaches out into our everyday life. If we do not think that our partner of dialogue is autonomous, we would not take them seriously in a way in which we wouldn’t take seriously words uttered by a parrot. When we are trapped in echo chambers and filter bubbles, we run danger of losing grip of reality, which has detrimental consequences for our autonomous agency, or so I shall argue.”
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