What Happened to Truth?

This is part 1 in a series titled "Restoring Trust in a World of Misinformation".

We are living in an era where information flows freely and at unprecedented speed. But with this newfound accessibility comes a darker side—the rampant spread of misinformation.

Whether it’s about health, politics, science, or society, false information proliferates across social media, often outpacing truth. Misinformation is no longer just an annoyance; it is a powerful force shaping public perception, undermining institutions, and creating real-world harm.

Consider, for example, the rise of anti-vaccine movements, fueled by widespread misinformation that has caused public health crises, leading to the resurgence of preventable diseases. Or think about the role misinformation plays in deepening political divides, undermining democratic processes, and fostering societal distrust.

In every instance, the consequences are clear: misinformation has the power to distort reality and influence behavior, often with devastating effects.

The Problem We Face

The internet was supposed to be a democratizing force, offering everyone a voice and access to the world’s knowledge. But, in reality, it has become a battleground where truth struggles to survive. Algorithms designed to maximize engagement often prioritize sensational, polarizing content—whether or not it is true. As a result, misinformation spreads like wildfire, blurring the lines between fact and opinion, between objective reality and individual belief.

We face a profound challenge: how do we combat misinformation in a way that preserves the values of free speech, intellectual diversity, and individual expression?

The Philosophical Challenge of Truth

Truth, it turns out, is not as straightforward as we might wish. Great thinkers throughout history—Plato, John Stuart Mill, Michel Foucault, Hannah Arendt, Isaiah Berlin, and Søren Kierkegaard—have all grappled with questions of what truth is and how it should function in society.

"The seeker after truth must, once in the course of his life, doubt everything, as far as is possible."

~René Descartes, Philosopher

These philosophical discussions are more relevant today than ever before. They force us to ask: What role does truth play in our increasingly polarized world? Who gets to decide what is true? And, how can we ensure that the pursuit of truth doesn’t become authoritarian?

These are questions we cannot ignore. At the heart of these philosophical debates lies a tension between the objective truth necessary for society to function and the subjective truths we each hold as individuals. This tension is precisely where misinformation thrives, exploiting the gray areas to spread confusion and doubt.