One of the most heated subjects which is currently being debated on an international scale is the problem of 'fake news'. It is widely considered a significant challenge for contemporary societies, and has even been called a threat to liberal democracies. This paper will investigate how are we able to combat this problem and find a long-term solution, in order to protect our societies from the harmful consequences of fake news.
This will lead to an examination of the position of truth in the political sphere, its role in our epistemic lives, and the place truth has within news and media. It will be shown that fake news can be understood as essentially a problem concerning truth, our relationship to it, and its role in the political sphere. This issue will be explored using the case study of Jan Patočka, whose philosophical analysis can provide an illuminating way of understanding and finding a solution to fake news. Additionally, the example of Sweden will be examined in order to demonstrate how my conclusions can be implemented in practice. The latter empirical case study will demonstrate ways in which critical citizens can be fostered in a society.
Overall, it will be argued that the best long-term way in which we can combat fake news is through the constant search for truth and for justifications for our beliefs, as well as taking responsibility for our knowledge. This solution to fake news necessitates independent responsibility, a 'Socratic' attitude towards truth, and active citizenship, which together constitute a political mode of existence. In addition to personal responsibility, institutional responsibility is vital in order to engender this attitude amongst citizens. This can be done through education or promoting media literacy, as well as ensuring an open society in which debate is encouraged, and returning the authority of truth in the public sphere. The proposed conclusion therefore emphasises the significance of the individual, who must be epistemically responsible for their beliefs, and the importance of institutions, which play a crucial role in making critical citizens. Fake news must be targeted at its fundamental level, namely as a problem of truth, and it is therefore vital that a Socratic attitude be encouraged in current liberal democracies, before there are further significant political events which are influenced by fake news.
Anotace v angličtině
One of the most heated subjects which is currently being debated on an international scale is the problem of 'fake news'. It is widely considered a significant challenge for contemporary societies, and has even been called a threat to liberal democracies. This paper will investigate how are we able to combat this problem and find a long-term solution, in order to protect our societies from the harmful consequences of fake news.
This will lead to an examination of the position of truth in the political sphere, its role in our epistemic lives, and the place truth has within news and media. It will be shown that fake news can be understood as essentially a problem concerning truth, our relationship to it, and its role in the political sphere. This issue will be explored using the case study of Jan Patočka, whose philosophical analysis can provide an illuminating way of understanding and finding a solution to fake news. Additionally, the example of Sweden will be examined in order to demonstrate how my conclusions can be implemented in practice. The latter empirical case study will demonstrate ways in which critical citizens can be fostered in a society.
Overall, it will be argued that the best long-term way in which we can combat fake news is through the constant search for truth and for justifications for our beliefs, as well as taking responsibility for our knowledge. This solution to fake news necessitates independent responsibility, a 'Socratic' attitude towards truth, and active citizenship, which together constitute a political mode of existence. In addition to personal responsibility, institutional responsibility is vital in order to engender this attitude amongst citizens. This can be done through education or promoting media literacy, as well as ensuring an open society in which debate is encouraged, and returning the authority of truth in the public sphere. The proposed conclusion therefore emphasises the significance of the individual, who must be epistemically responsible for their beliefs, and the importance of institutions, which play a crucial role in making critical citizens. Fake news must be targeted at its fundamental level, namely as a problem of truth, and it is therefore vital that a Socratic attitude be encouraged in current liberal democracies, before there are further significant political events which are influenced by fake news.
Klíčová slova
fake news, Patočka, active citizenship, Socrates, disinformation, social media, truth
Klíčová slova v angličtině
fake news, Patočka, active citizenship, Socrates, disinformation, social media, truth
Rozsah průvodní práce
76 pages (25,000 words)
Jazyk
AN
Anotace
One of the most heated subjects which is currently being debated on an international scale is the problem of 'fake news'. It is widely considered a significant challenge for contemporary societies, and has even been called a threat to liberal democracies. This paper will investigate how are we able to combat this problem and find a long-term solution, in order to protect our societies from the harmful consequences of fake news.
This will lead to an examination of the position of truth in the political sphere, its role in our epistemic lives, and the place truth has within news and media. It will be shown that fake news can be understood as essentially a problem concerning truth, our relationship to it, and its role in the political sphere. This issue will be explored using the case study of Jan Patočka, whose philosophical analysis can provide an illuminating way of understanding and finding a solution to fake news. Additionally, the example of Sweden will be examined in order to demonstrate how my conclusions can be implemented in practice. The latter empirical case study will demonstrate ways in which critical citizens can be fostered in a society.
Overall, it will be argued that the best long-term way in which we can combat fake news is through the constant search for truth and for justifications for our beliefs, as well as taking responsibility for our knowledge. This solution to fake news necessitates independent responsibility, a 'Socratic' attitude towards truth, and active citizenship, which together constitute a political mode of existence. In addition to personal responsibility, institutional responsibility is vital in order to engender this attitude amongst citizens. This can be done through education or promoting media literacy, as well as ensuring an open society in which debate is encouraged, and returning the authority of truth in the public sphere. The proposed conclusion therefore emphasises the significance of the individual, who must be epistemically responsible for their beliefs, and the importance of institutions, which play a crucial role in making critical citizens. Fake news must be targeted at its fundamental level, namely as a problem of truth, and it is therefore vital that a Socratic attitude be encouraged in current liberal democracies, before there are further significant political events which are influenced by fake news.
Anotace v angličtině
One of the most heated subjects which is currently being debated on an international scale is the problem of 'fake news'. It is widely considered a significant challenge for contemporary societies, and has even been called a threat to liberal democracies. This paper will investigate how are we able to combat this problem and find a long-term solution, in order to protect our societies from the harmful consequences of fake news.
This will lead to an examination of the position of truth in the political sphere, its role in our epistemic lives, and the place truth has within news and media. It will be shown that fake news can be understood as essentially a problem concerning truth, our relationship to it, and its role in the political sphere. This issue will be explored using the case study of Jan Patočka, whose philosophical analysis can provide an illuminating way of understanding and finding a solution to fake news. Additionally, the example of Sweden will be examined in order to demonstrate how my conclusions can be implemented in practice. The latter empirical case study will demonstrate ways in which critical citizens can be fostered in a society.
Overall, it will be argued that the best long-term way in which we can combat fake news is through the constant search for truth and for justifications for our beliefs, as well as taking responsibility for our knowledge. This solution to fake news necessitates independent responsibility, a 'Socratic' attitude towards truth, and active citizenship, which together constitute a political mode of existence. In addition to personal responsibility, institutional responsibility is vital in order to engender this attitude amongst citizens. This can be done through education or promoting media literacy, as well as ensuring an open society in which debate is encouraged, and returning the authority of truth in the public sphere. The proposed conclusion therefore emphasises the significance of the individual, who must be epistemically responsible for their beliefs, and the importance of institutions, which play a crucial role in making critical citizens. Fake news must be targeted at its fundamental level, namely as a problem of truth, and it is therefore vital that a Socratic attitude be encouraged in current liberal democracies, before there are further significant political events which are influenced by fake news.
Klíčová slova
fake news, Patočka, active citizenship, Socrates, disinformation, social media, truth
Klíčová slova v angličtině
fake news, Patočka, active citizenship, Socrates, disinformation, social media, truth
Zásady pro vypracování
A topic which currently interests me is the political crisis in Europe, in particular the rise of political parties which can be described as nationalist, populist or part of the extreme-right. There are certain phenomena which accompany the rise of these parties, such as the appearance of "post-truth"; the othering and exclusion of certain groups; and the undermining of EU values and of liberal democracy itself. I wanted to look at this issue from a philosophical perspective, in order to make a novel interpretation. I decided to look at Jan Patočka, a Czech philosopher whose work has often been overlooked in Western philosophy. The overall research question which has driven my investigation so far has been: can Patočka's philosophy provide a significant interpretation of the current political crisis in Europe? I think that this interpretation could be meaningful both in understanding why the current crisis has come about, but also, what the response towards this political crisis should be. Furthermore, during my research I have also been considering what a philosopher's role in the public sphere/active politics is, and whether it is also an important consideration to include in my thesis. I have had some initial thoughts of how to apply Patočka's philosophy to the current political crisis. Firstly, I want to look at his analysis of modern society as technological, and furthermore "decadent", searching no longer for truth but instead merely "to have", which could be an interesting way of characterising today's capitalistic society, and moreover could be relevant to the issue of post-truth. We are even in decline, becoming more like our ancestors stuck in "pre-history", who were focused on material sustenance and survival. This relates to the current political situation because, as described by Tava, "the conflictual, decadent civilisation succeeds indeed in surviving, not by resolving, but perpetuating its contradictions. The result is an alienated and sclerotized society, plunged into a sort of limbo that has resulted from the collapse of political ideologies, with no chance to rebuild a positive idea of the world". This, perhaps, could describe the sort of crisis that Europe is facing today. Patočka introduces the idea of taking a post-European perspective, characterised by post-European individuals, which also relates to his idea of the "solidarity of the shaken" and the "care for the soul". These could constitute the initial notions providing a normative response to the current crisis. I think that Patočka is trying to avoid quite a few traps which modern society also faces, including the trap of idealist and subjectivist phenomenology, that of relativistic sophistry, and the Nietzschian trap of nihilism and meaninglessness. This is perhaps why he takes inspiration from Socrates, and his dictum that he knows only that he knows nothing - resulting in the never-ending search for truth. One route which I am currently interested in pursuing is how all of these philosophical considerations might tie in to the phenomenon of post-truth. Contemporary nationalist and populist discourse is intimately related to this issue, and I think that the application of Patočka's philosophy might provide a productive and original analysis, especially because the question of truth and the role it plays in politics is also of central importance in his philosophy.
Timetable:
February:
-Weekly meetings with tutor
-Decide on direction of thesis
-Formulate more precisely my research question
-Limit scope further
-Meet Ivan Chvatík
-Collect any further articles/books/etc
-Read literature
March:
-More in depth regarding my specific field
-Possibly include other perspectives/philosophers
-Outline of my thesis
April:
-Bullet point each section
-Decide which articles/books I will use
-Outline of thesis (chapters & bullet points)
May:
- Writing
-Corrections
-Rewriting
-Final drafting of thesis
June: Deadline
Zásady pro vypracování
A topic which currently interests me is the political crisis in Europe, in particular the rise of political parties which can be described as nationalist, populist or part of the extreme-right. There are certain phenomena which accompany the rise of these parties, such as the appearance of "post-truth"; the othering and exclusion of certain groups; and the undermining of EU values and of liberal democracy itself. I wanted to look at this issue from a philosophical perspective, in order to make a novel interpretation. I decided to look at Jan Patočka, a Czech philosopher whose work has often been overlooked in Western philosophy. The overall research question which has driven my investigation so far has been: can Patočka's philosophy provide a significant interpretation of the current political crisis in Europe? I think that this interpretation could be meaningful both in understanding why the current crisis has come about, but also, what the response towards this political crisis should be. Furthermore, during my research I have also been considering what a philosopher's role in the public sphere/active politics is, and whether it is also an important consideration to include in my thesis. I have had some initial thoughts of how to apply Patočka's philosophy to the current political crisis. Firstly, I want to look at his analysis of modern society as technological, and furthermore "decadent", searching no longer for truth but instead merely "to have", which could be an interesting way of characterising today's capitalistic society, and moreover could be relevant to the issue of post-truth. We are even in decline, becoming more like our ancestors stuck in "pre-history", who were focused on material sustenance and survival. This relates to the current political situation because, as described by Tava, "the conflictual, decadent civilisation succeeds indeed in surviving, not by resolving, but perpetuating its contradictions. The result is an alienated and sclerotized society, plunged into a sort of limbo that has resulted from the collapse of political ideologies, with no chance to rebuild a positive idea of the world". This, perhaps, could describe the sort of crisis that Europe is facing today. Patočka introduces the idea of taking a post-European perspective, characterised by post-European individuals, which also relates to his idea of the "solidarity of the shaken" and the "care for the soul". These could constitute the initial notions providing a normative response to the current crisis. I think that Patočka is trying to avoid quite a few traps which modern society also faces, including the trap of idealist and subjectivist phenomenology, that of relativistic sophistry, and the Nietzschian trap of nihilism and meaninglessness. This is perhaps why he takes inspiration from Socrates, and his dictum that he knows only that he knows nothing - resulting in the never-ending search for truth. One route which I am currently interested in pursuing is how all of these philosophical considerations might tie in to the phenomenon of post-truth. Contemporary nationalist and populist discourse is intimately related to this issue, and I think that the application of Patočka's philosophy might provide a productive and original analysis, especially because the question of truth and the role it plays in politics is also of central importance in his philosophy.
Timetable:
February:
-Weekly meetings with tutor
-Decide on direction of thesis
-Formulate more precisely my research question
-Limit scope further
-Meet Ivan Chvatík
-Collect any further articles/books/etc
-Read literature
March:
-More in depth regarding my specific field
-Possibly include other perspectives/philosophers
-Outline of my thesis
April:
-Bullet point each section
-Decide which articles/books I will use
-Outline of thesis (chapters & bullet points)
May:
- Writing
-Corrections
-Rewriting
-Final drafting of thesis
June: Deadline
Seznam doporučené literatury
Abrams, Erika, and Ivan Chvatík. 2011. Jan Patočka and the Heritage of Phenomenology: Centenary Papers. Dordrecht: Springer.
Derrida, Jacques. 2008. The Gift of Death; &, Literature in Secret. Second Edition. Translated by David Wills. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
Findlay, Edward F. 2002. Caring for the Soul in a Postmodern Age: Politics and Phenomenology in the Thought of Jan Patočka. New York: State University of New York Press.
Gasché, Rodolphe. 2007. "European Memories: Jan Patočka and Jacques Derrida on Responsibility." Critical Inquiry 33: 291-311.
Gubser, Michael. 2013. "Jan Patočka's Transcendence to the World." Investigaciones Fenomenológicas 4 (2): 155-175.
Kohák, Erazim. 1989. Jan Patočka: Philosophy and Selected Writings. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
Leufer, Daniel. 2017. "The Wound Which Will Not Close: Jan Patočka's Philosophy and the Conditions of Politicization." Studies in East European Thought 69: 29-44.
Meacham, Darian, and Francesco Tava. 2016. Thinking After Europe: Jan Patočka and Politics. London: Rowman & Littlefield International, Ltd.
Moore, Cerwyn. 2009. "Heretical Conversations with Continental Philosophy: Jan Patočka, Central Europe and Global Politics." The British Journal of Politics and International Relations 11: 315-331.
Patočka, Jan. 1996. Heretical Essays in the Philosophy of History. Edited by James Dodd. Translated by Erazim Kohák. Chicago: Open Court.
Tava, Francesco. 2016. "Lifeworld, Civilisation, System: Patočka and Habermas on Europe and its Crisis." Horizon 5 (1): 70-89.
Tava, Francesco. 2016. "The Brave Struggle: Jan Patočka on Europe's Past and Future." Journal of the British Society for Phenomenology 47 (3): 242-259.
Tucker, Aviezer. 2000. The Philosophy and Politics of Czech Dissidence from Patočka to Havel. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press.
More:
Abts, Koen, and Stefan Rummens. 2007. "Populism versus Democracy." Political Studies 55: 405-424.
Canovan, Margaret. 2004. "Populism for Political Theorists?" Journal of Political Ideologies 9 (3): 241-252.
Cronin, Michael. 2013. "Crossing the Elbe or Why We Need a New Culture of Dissidence." European Journal of English Studies 17 (2): 136-148.
Day, Barbara. 1999. The Velvet Philosophers. London: The Claridge Press.
Findlay, Edward F. 1999. "Classical Ethics and Postmodern Critique: Political Philosophy in Václav Havel and Jan Patočka." The Review of Politics 61 (3): 403-438.
Hadjiisky, Magdalena. 2001. "The Failure of the Participatory Democracy in the Czech Republic." West European Politics 24 (3): 43-64.
Havel, Vaclav, and John Keane. 2016. The Power of the Powerless: Citizens Against the State in Central Eastern Europe. Florence: Taylor and Francis.
Kammas, Anthony. 2008. "Václav Havel's Absurd Route to Democracy." Critical Horizons: A Journal of Philosophy and Social Theory 9 (2): 215-238.
Lom, Petr. 1999. "East Meets West - Jan Patočka and Richard Rorty on Freedom: A Czech Philosopher Brought into Dialogue with American Postmodernism." Political Theory (Sage Publications, Inc.) 27 (4): 447-459.
Marczyk, Agnieszka, and Adam Michnik. 2012. "When Socrates Became Pericles: Václav Havel's "Great History," 1936-2011." Common Knowledge 18 (3): 387-418.
Marks, Bartłomiej. 2006. "Radicals in Central Europe: Real Danger or a Passing Fad." Polish Sociological Review 154: 209-230.
Melançon, Jérôme. 2013. "Jan Patočka's Sacrifice: Philosophy as Dissent." Continental Philosophy Review 46: 577-602.
Mensch, James R. 2011. "Patočkas Conception of the Subject of Human Rights." Idealistic Studies 41 (1-2): 1-10.
Palouš, Martin. 2013. "A Philosopher and His History: Jan Patočka's Reflections on the End of Europe and the arrival of the Post-European Epoch." Thesis 11 (Sage) 116 (1): 77-98.
Szakolczai, Arpad. 2005. "Moving Beyond the Sophists: Intellectuals in East Central Europe and the Return of Transcendence." European Journal of Social Theory 8 (4): 417-433.
Seznam doporučené literatury
Abrams, Erika, and Ivan Chvatík. 2011. Jan Patočka and the Heritage of Phenomenology: Centenary Papers. Dordrecht: Springer.
Derrida, Jacques. 2008. The Gift of Death; &, Literature in Secret. Second Edition. Translated by David Wills. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
Findlay, Edward F. 2002. Caring for the Soul in a Postmodern Age: Politics and Phenomenology in the Thought of Jan Patočka. New York: State University of New York Press.
Gasché, Rodolphe. 2007. "European Memories: Jan Patočka and Jacques Derrida on Responsibility." Critical Inquiry 33: 291-311.
Gubser, Michael. 2013. "Jan Patočka's Transcendence to the World." Investigaciones Fenomenológicas 4 (2): 155-175.
Kohák, Erazim. 1989. Jan Patočka: Philosophy and Selected Writings. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
Leufer, Daniel. 2017. "The Wound Which Will Not Close: Jan Patočka's Philosophy and the Conditions of Politicization." Studies in East European Thought 69: 29-44.
Meacham, Darian, and Francesco Tava. 2016. Thinking After Europe: Jan Patočka and Politics. London: Rowman & Littlefield International, Ltd.
Moore, Cerwyn. 2009. "Heretical Conversations with Continental Philosophy: Jan Patočka, Central Europe and Global Politics." The British Journal of Politics and International Relations 11: 315-331.
Patočka, Jan. 1996. Heretical Essays in the Philosophy of History. Edited by James Dodd. Translated by Erazim Kohák. Chicago: Open Court.
Tava, Francesco. 2016. "Lifeworld, Civilisation, System: Patočka and Habermas on Europe and its Crisis." Horizon 5 (1): 70-89.
Tava, Francesco. 2016. "The Brave Struggle: Jan Patočka on Europe's Past and Future." Journal of the British Society for Phenomenology 47 (3): 242-259.
Tucker, Aviezer. 2000. The Philosophy and Politics of Czech Dissidence from Patočka to Havel. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press.
More:
Abts, Koen, and Stefan Rummens. 2007. "Populism versus Democracy." Political Studies 55: 405-424.
Canovan, Margaret. 2004. "Populism for Political Theorists?" Journal of Political Ideologies 9 (3): 241-252.
Cronin, Michael. 2013. "Crossing the Elbe or Why We Need a New Culture of Dissidence." European Journal of English Studies 17 (2): 136-148.
Day, Barbara. 1999. The Velvet Philosophers. London: The Claridge Press.
Findlay, Edward F. 1999. "Classical Ethics and Postmodern Critique: Political Philosophy in Václav Havel and Jan Patočka." The Review of Politics 61 (3): 403-438.
Hadjiisky, Magdalena. 2001. "The Failure of the Participatory Democracy in the Czech Republic." West European Politics 24 (3): 43-64.
Havel, Vaclav, and John Keane. 2016. The Power of the Powerless: Citizens Against the State in Central Eastern Europe. Florence: Taylor and Francis.
Kammas, Anthony. 2008. "Václav Havel's Absurd Route to Democracy." Critical Horizons: A Journal of Philosophy and Social Theory 9 (2): 215-238.
Lom, Petr. 1999. "East Meets West - Jan Patočka and Richard Rorty on Freedom: A Czech Philosopher Brought into Dialogue with American Postmodernism." Political Theory (Sage Publications, Inc.) 27 (4): 447-459.
Marczyk, Agnieszka, and Adam Michnik. 2012. "When Socrates Became Pericles: Václav Havel's "Great History," 1936-2011." Common Knowledge 18 (3): 387-418.
Marks, Bartłomiej. 2006. "Radicals in Central Europe: Real Danger or a Passing Fad." Polish Sociological Review 154: 209-230.
Melançon, Jérôme. 2013. "Jan Patočka's Sacrifice: Philosophy as Dissent." Continental Philosophy Review 46: 577-602.
Mensch, James R. 2011. "Patočkas Conception of the Subject of Human Rights." Idealistic Studies 41 (1-2): 1-10.
Palouš, Martin. 2013. "A Philosopher and His History: Jan Patočka's Reflections on the End of Europe and the arrival of the Post-European Epoch." Thesis 11 (Sage) 116 (1): 77-98.
Szakolczai, Arpad. 2005. "Moving Beyond the Sophists: Intellectuals in East Central Europe and the Return of Transcendence." European Journal of Social Theory 8 (4): 417-433.