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  • Constitution of knowledge

  • Sources:

    The "Constitution of Knowledge" is a concept discussed in detail by Jonathan Rauch, notably in his appearance on the and the . Rauch describes it as our societal system for determining what is true, emphasizing decentralized decision-making and the use of competitive processes to manage and validate knowledge. Here are some key points:

    1. Definition: The Constitution of Knowledge is a societal framework for discerning truth from falsehood. It respects freedom, maintains sanity and civility, and avoids conflicts over factual disputes by following established rules instead of relying on the authority of rulers 1.

    2. Components: Rauch highlights four main domains that make up this system:

      • Research: Primarily academia and science.
      • Journalism: Fact-based and professional reporting.
      • Law: The concept of a fact originally comes from law.
      • Government: Must operate on a reality-based system to function effectively. These components function with a set of rules and institutions designed to ensure decentralized and disaggregated truth-finding 1.

    3. Principles: Two core principles underlie the Constitution of Knowledge:

      • No Final Say: No one can have the final authority on truth; ongoing criticism and validation are necessary 2.
      • No Personal Authority: Truth cannot be declared based on personal authority; it must be empirically validated and collectively agreed upon 2.

    4. Challenges and Hope: The internet and social media have disrupted this constitution, leading to issues like trolling and cancel culture. Rauch stresses the need to defend and recalibrate our institutions and behaviors to preserve this system of knowledge. He maintains a hopeful outlook, suggesting that with concerted effort, these institutions can be protected and preserved 3 4.

    For a deeper exploration, you can listen to the full discussions in the on EconTalk and on the Making Sense Podcast.

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