This module explores the complex challenges faced by individuals as "digital epistemic subjects" in the information age. It delves into two key issues: the dilemma of cognitive offloading and the problem of digital skepticism. Cognitive offloading refers to the practice of relying on digital tools for information acquisition, which, while convenient, may undermine our epistemic autonomy. Digital skepticism examines the spread of conspiracy theories online, which, akin to traditional skeptical scenarios, can pose serious threats to our knowledge.

This module introduces learners to the basics of virtue and vice epistemology. In a nutshell, virtue epistemology stresses the importance of information that is acquired by having manifested a good epistemic virtue or disposition (e.g., being open minded, gathering evidence). In other words, virtue epistemology focuses on how we obtain some information, as opposed to merely whether we obtain true information. In this section, learners will reflect on epistemic virtues, i.e., character traits that foster truth knowledge, and epistemic vices, i.e., character traits that obstruct the acquisition of knowledge.

Towards a Virtue Digital Epistemology: This module puts the lessons from module 3 into practice. You will think about how cultivating epistemic virtues and identifying potential epistemic vices can help overcome some of the challenges addressed in Modules 1 and 2.