This essay was submitted to the Goethe-Institut “Sapere Aude” Essay Competition, where it earned first place among high school entries. Originally written in English, it is presented here in its original language and form.
As a teenager, the validity of the information I consume in my day-to-day hadn’t been a top priority for me until recently. If you had asked me if everything online was reliable, I would say “no”—the answer was properly instilled in us as children while being raised alongside the growing influence of the internet. And while I wasn’t aware that I didn’t truly believe those words, I anyways conveyed the proof through my actions: I got everything off the internet. To trust is so convenient. To be skeptical isn’t.As I’ve gotten older, I’ve started to notice the discrepancies between the internet and reality first hand. I became aware of the impact my empirical experiences have had on my understanding of the world, and in turn on my own judgments. On which premises have I been regarding the world and contributing to our society? What kind of information has been influencing the topics of my conversation? Or the pure decisions I make? There is a reasonable chance that I am of values and opinions that developed as a result of “fake news”—and that is SCARY. The implications of my passive decision to regard media with zero intention are simply blunt.
So I turned to Kant; philosophy has historically been my go-to read, but I’d previously avoided him in particular, admittedly intimidated by the complexity of his prose. It felt like time to confront my reluctance.
Kant believed that knowledge comes from a deliberate and thoughtful combination of reason and experience. This concept is of utmost importance today, since we face an unprecedented overload of iinformation tainted by things like perspective, context, intent, making it no better than falsehood. It’s more challenging than ever to discern what’s real. An understanding of Kant’s epistemological conclusions can help enable one to navigate the truth.
Synthesis in Understanding Knowledge
Kant argued that knowledge isn’t solely about collecting facts; rather, it involves how we integrate what we learn from our experiences with our reasoning. This synthesis is essential for interpreting information about the world. In his “Critique of Pure Reason,” Kant emphasizes that human understanding arises not from mere sensory data or pure reason alone, but from the interplay between both, which enables us to create a more coherent and inclusive idea of reality. For example, scientific data provides a strong foundation for the existence of climate change with proven facts and predictions, representing the rational aspect of knowledge. However, personal experiences—like witnessing extreme weather or hearing stories from those affected—help people who do not necessarily understand the science grasp its real impact. By merging these two types of knowledge we can form a perspective that transcends numerical data in terms of practicality: it is the human element that differentiates truth from knowledge. The combination of observation and rational thought has influenced the concept of informed decision-making and is therefore prevalent in public policy, where relatable aspects of a situation are emphasized to elicit understanding from people.
Intuition as a Guide to Truth
Kant suggested that people often have strong gut feelings about truth—in other words, intuition. He believed this intuition is crucial for discerning reality, as it allows individuals to make judgments based on immediate perceptions. But individuals sometimes convince themselves of falsehoods because acknowledging their own intuitions can simply be an annoying alternative to making do with what you perceive. Consider vaccines. Many people trust them not because they understand their effectiveness on a conceptual level, but rather based on personal experiences or what they’ve heard from others. But when confronted with conflicting information and emotional arguments, they may start to believe false claims. When our gut feelings are at risk of becoming clouded, Kant’s philosophy reminds us that while intuition is important, we must validate our instincts through critical thinking. Instead of accepting information at face value, we should dig deeper to understand whether our emotional reactions stem from viable experiences and reason or from emotional manipulation. In addition to this vulnerability, our intuition, as well as our habits of visual association, can also be exploited to manipulate how we receive information. For example, reputable and credible sources may stick to a particular way of formatting their social media content. As a result, people grow to associate reliability with that format. Sources that lack credibility might imitate that style to prompt the same trust that credible sources earn.
The Importance of Critical Engagement
Kant’s principle of “Sapere aude”—dare to know—has to do with the importance of critical engagement in the pursuit of knowledge. This principle encourages individuals to think independently and question accepted truths rather than accepting them uncritically. The journalistic principle of “trust but verify” aligns with Kant’s philosophy, emphasizing the necessity of questioning what we see and hear. Instead of accepting everything as truth, we should verify and seek clarity. This is especially critical in journalism because it is a responsibility for reporters to inform the public accurately. When covering a major political event, for instance, a journalist must fact-check against multiple sources to find an overarching truth and provide people with a comprehensive picture. Kant’s approach encourages the application of reason to evaluate our experiences and the information we encounter. When we blindly trust what we see, we risk losing our ability to discern the truth.
Knowledge Synthesis and Misinformation
Kant’s idea of knowledge synthesis, which adds onto the principle of combining multiple sources to obtain knowledge, suggests a powerful method of navigating around misinformation. In today’s world, where falsehoods are often superficially indistinguishable from facts, we have to be careful not to rely solely on one type of knowledge. A fact presented without context can be misleading, and personal experiences, while valuable, are often limited or subjective. Kant’s philosophy teaches us that we cannot reach true knowledge by depending on isolated pieces of information. We need to engage in a process of synthesis—integrating rational thought with empirical evidence from the world around us, so that our judgments are rooted in logical reasoning but also grounded in lived experience. This synthesis becomes especially critical when navigating misinformation, which often plays on emotions, confirmation biases, or half-truths. For example, sensationalist media can use data selectively, appealing to our emotions while neglecting important facts that would otherwise give us a clearer understanding. Synthesis demands that we actively process and evaluate what we encounter, seeking to understand the bigger picture and weigh evidence against our rational faculties. In doing so, we can discern truth more effectively, resisting the pull of misinformation that thrives on simplicity and emotional appeal. Without active synthesis of information we are vulnerable to misleading narratives.
Kantian Skepticism Against Falsehood
Equally important is Kant’s notion of skepticism, which safeguards us against the pervasive spread of falsehoods. He did not advocate for blind skepticism—dismissing everything outright—but rather a thoughtful and critical form of doubt. This kind of skepticism involves questioning claims, especially those that seem appealing or align too easily with our preconceptions. In the face of misinformation, skepticism is not about cynicism but about intellectual rigor: it requires us to examine the sources of information, cross-check facts, and analyze the logical consistency of the arguments presented. In an age where misinformation can be presented as convincingly as facts with no repercussions, Kant’s emphasis on skepticism can be of great use. Conspiracy theories for instance often flourish by exploiting gaps in public knowledge and offering overly simplistic answers to complex issues. By applying Kantian skepticism, we train ourselves to resist the temptation of easy answers, and instead focus on trying to find evidence and remaining open to the possibility that we might not have all the information or that our initial assumptions could be wrong. This humility in our knowledge—being skeptical of not only external information but also of our cognitive biases—is vital in keeping us grounded. Kant’s skepticism is about recognizing the limits of our knowledge and making an effort to go beyond our own surface-level understanding. The challenge of blending experience and reasoning in a world filled with information shows that seeking knowledge is a deeply human pursuit. We have the capacity to engage critically with our surroundings, reflect on our experiences, and actually work for understanding.
When I think about how to revolutionize my own perception, I realize it’s not about gathering facts; it’s about actively engaging with the information I encounter every day. I can’t afford to just take things upfront. It is worth the time it takes to question the validity of the sources I read from, and to consider how my own experiences shape my views. I want my beliefs and conversations to be grounded in truth; that requires a significant shift in how I approach information. I need to blend my own reason and my personal experience to get a clearer picture of the world. When I encounter new ideas or claims, I want to get into the habit of digging deeper rather than simply accepting them because they sound good or align with what I already think. It’s about being skeptical in a constructive way—analyzing what I hear and seeking out multiple perspectives before coming up with conclusions. I want to earn the right to come up with conclusions.
While this process is about becoming a more informed individual, it is also about encouraging others to do the same. By taking the time to critically engage with the information around me, I can contribute to more meaningful conversations and a more accurate shared understanding of the world. This is how I can navigate the complexities of today’s information-rich environment while staying true to myself. Apart from being a mere intellectual exercise, the journey of finding high quality knowledge leads us to clearer insights in our personal lives, meaningful connections, and a stronger and more consistent grasp of truth. And that’s a life-changing insight.