In today’s digital world, we are constantly bombarded with information — some of it helpful, much of it misleading. This course explores how we, as digital epistemic subjects, can navigate complex online environments shaped by fake news, conspiracy theories, echo chambers, and shifting norms of trust and mistrust. You'll begin by examining the major epistemic challenges of the digital age, including the impact of online storage and information overload. Next, you'll explore two crucial problems: cognitive offloading — our growing dependence on digital tools for knowledge — and digital skepticism, which questions the reliability of online information sources.
Introduction to Digital Epistemology
Heat up your career this summer with courses from Google, IBM, and more for £190/year. Save now.
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Intermediate level
Recommended experience
11 hours to complete
3 weeks at 3 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
What you'll learn
Understand the basic issues underlying the current debate about digital technology and its significance for the theory of knowledge.
Question the seriousness of the epistemic consequences of deep fakes.
Understand why philosophers are raising questions about LLMs and how their linguistic performance poses difficult questions for the epistemologist.
Skills you'll gain
Details to know
Shareable certificate
Add to your LinkedIn profile
Recently updated!
July 2025
Assessments
4 assignments
Taught in English
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills
There are 4 modules in this course
This module introduces learners to the main issues that will be addressed in the course, e.g., fake news, conspiracy theories, echo chambers, trust and mistrust in the digital domain, online storage.
What's included
7 videos3 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt
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.
What's included
12 videos7 readings1 assignment4 discussion prompts
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.
What's included
6 videos2 readings1 assignment3 discussion prompts
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.
What's included
1 video3 readings1 assignment
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.
Instructor
Offered by
Why people choose Coursera for their career
Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."
Open new doors with Coursera Plus
Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription
Advance your career with an online degree
Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online
Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business
Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy
Frequently asked questions
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
You will be eligible for a full refund until two weeks after your payment date, or (for courses that have just launched) until two weeks after the first session of the course begins, whichever is later. You cannot receive a refund once you’ve earned a Course Certificate, even if you complete the course within the two-week refund period. See our full refund policy.
More questions
Financial aid available,