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Cited by 88Epistemology, Ethics, and MetaphysicsEducation, Philosophy, and SocietyFeminist Epistemology and Gender Studies

EPISTEMIC CORRUPTION AND EDUCATION

Kidd, Ian James·2019·Episteme
DOI 10.1017/epi.2018.3

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Abstract

This paper introduces the concept of ‘epistemic corruption’ and applies it to current debates about the negative effects of education on the epistemic character of students. Epistemic corruption occurs when an agent comes to develop or exercise one or more epistemic vices due their interaction with a social environment. The phenomenon of epistemic corruption is especially important given modern enthusiasm, among virtue epistemologists and others, for the claim that education should aim to enhance the epistemic character of students by cultivating their epistemic virtues. After presenting a working account of the concept of epistemic corruption, three case studies are offered that document epistemically corrupting educational practices and policies. I conclude that study of the forms, practices, and effects of epistemic corruption should be an important dimension of virtue and vice epistemology.

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41 of 41 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Epistemic corruption has no intentionality condition; a system, process, or doctrine can produce corrupting effects even if corruption was not part of its design.

    “First, according to Kidd, epistemic corruption has no intentionality condition.This means that a system, process, or doctrine can produce corrupting effects even if corruption was never part of its design or purpose (Kidd 2019, 224).”

    From Algorithmic Epistemic Outsourcing and Epistemic Corruption (2026) · cites this paper as Kidd 2019, 224

  • Epistemic corruption can be facilitated by processes as well as systems.

    “Identifying the corruptor requires a broader conception than one limited to systems as Kidd (2019) qualifies abstract entities such as processes as corrupting conditions as well.”

    From Algorithmic Epistemic Outsourcing and Epistemic Corruption (2026) · cites this paper as Kidd (2019)

  • Epistemic corruption has no success condition; a system can be corrupting even if it fails to produce corruption in some members, as long as it has the tendency to undermine intellectual character.

    “Another important feature of epistemic corruption is that it has no success condition (Kidd 2019, 225).In other words, a system, process, or doctrine can be corrupting even when it fails to produce corruption in some of its members; as long as it has the tendency to undermine the intellectual character of anyone who gets exposed to it, then it is a corrupting condition”

    From Algorithmic Epistemic Outsourcing and Epistemic Corruption (2026) · cites this paper as Kidd 2019, 225

  • Epistemic corruption operates dynamically, combining personal, contextual, and structural factors that facilitate, intensify, or entrench epistemic vices.

    “Finally, an essential feature of epistemic corruption is that it operates in a dynamic way, combining a wide array of personal, contextual, and structural factors that facilitate, intensify, or entrench one or more epistemic vices (Kidd 2019, 225).”

    From Algorithmic Epistemic Outsourcing and Epistemic Corruption (2026) · cites this paper as Kidd 2019, 225

  • The strength of a corrupting tendency depends on at least two factors: the psychosocial profile of potential victims and the structural and normative features of the system.

    “Kidd further clarifies that the strength of corrupting tendencies will depend on at least two factors: (1) the psychosocial profile of the potential victims and (2) the structural and normative features of the system (Kidd 2019, 225).”

    From Algorithmic Epistemic Outsourcing and Epistemic Corruption (2026) · cites this paper as Kidd 2019, 225

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Authors
Kidd, I. J.
Corresponding author
Kidd, Ian James
ORCID
Kidd, Ian James
Venue
Episteme
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Published
2018-03-21
Volume
16
Issue
2
Pages
220-235
ISSN
  • 1742-3600 (ISSN-L)
  • 1750-0117
DOI
10.1017/epi.2018.3
OpenAlex
W2794055133
Cited by
88
References
41
Citations by year
2026: 17 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 2
FWCI
78.86
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.cambridge.org/core/terms (unspecified)
Locations
  • Episteme (publishedVersion)
  • PhilPapers (PhilPapers Foundation) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Epistemology, Ethics, and Metaphysics
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Education, Philosophy, and Society
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Feminist Epistemology and Gender Studies
Keywords
epistemic vices, intellectual virtues, virtue epistemology, education, social environment

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