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Elements of truth! Here are 5 criteria that allow us to understand if the information we receive is reliable

Elements of truth! Here are 5 criteria that allow us to understand if the

We live in a time where lies have traveled to half the world, while the truth has not yet risen from the bed. From the half-educated who sell themselves as experts in everything, to the disseminators of political misinformation and propaganda against party opponents, and to the panic that causes a crisis, disinformation campaigns are all around us and are almost impossible to avoid. . But, although we can not avoid them, we can definitely filter the information we receive in the "sieve" of truth.

Although there is no one-size-fits-all method that can be used for every occasion, the Royal Society of Britain has a very good motto that helps filter out most of the information we receive "Nullius in verba" (Do not take anyone's word for granted). Even experts - as we may have seen during the pandemic - are not always reliable, and we know historically that even the best-known figures in the scientific community were wrong about something or something. How much less can we trust uninformed people. The ideal is that before we maintain a strong attitude or belief, it is imperative that we know and interpret the facts independently. No one more than yourself can know your truth.

Here are 5 questions to ask when we are being informed:

1 . Is the channel between which the information is being communicated to me reliable?

Have you read anything in a scientific book written by experts who have dedicated their lives to a certain discipline, by a person who has high integrity and who you know personally, or by a fake Facebook account? The quality of information, although not entirely dependent on its sender, is often extremely important.

2. Is the source of information independent?

Who sponsors and what interests does the source of your information have? Is it state or private media, headed by people who have credibility or follow a certain agenda? This is essential information that you need to filter whether what you are reading is true or not.

3. What is the purpose of communication?

Does the source want to inform or persuade you? What emotion seeks to be evoked by the news you receive .. joy, hatred, revolt, confusion? It is very important to anticipate the informant's attempt to use them.

4. Is the information complete?

Are you convinced that they were told the story to the end and that no important details were left out of the news narrative? In case you think you do not know the event or phenomenon to the end, reserve the judgment.

5. Can the information be re-verified?

An experiment that cannot be repeated and give the same results cannot be accepted as successful. Also, information that we have no opportunity to verify is a possible fraud and we must be careful.

Adapted from "Philosophy Now" /Tiranapost.al