Can Ancient Philosophy Help Us Fight Modern Disinformation?

Every day, we’re confronted with headlines, posts, and claims that may or may not be true. AI tools are stepping in to help, but what if the real key to building resilience against disinformation comes from something much older than technology?

That’s the argument in Professor Giannis Stamatellos’ (Institute of Philosophy and Technology) new article, “Socratic Methodologies and Artificial Intelligence against Disinformation: A Philosophical Approach” (The International Journal of the Platonic Tradition, Vol. 19, Issue 1, 2025). (Read the paper here)

Instead of relying only on fact-checking or automated filters, Stamatellos suggests drawing on the Socratic method of asking questions, probing assumptions, and challenging beliefs to guide how AI can support users online.

• It’s not about giving answers, but teaching how to think.

• It reframes disinformation as a human and educational challenge, not just a technical one.

• It highlights the ethical responsibility of AI systems to foster autonomy and critical reflection.

  
  

At TITAN, we’re exploring how AI can help users detect signals of disinformation and strengthen their own critical thinking skills. Stamatellos’ approach resonates strongly with our vision:

• Empowering, not dictating: Helping people navigate information rather than deciding for them.

• Building skills, not just tools: Using AI to cultivate lasting resilience to manipulation.

• Grounding in ethics: Ensuring interventions respect human agency and avoid paternalism.

  
  

This paper reminds us all that technology alone cannot solve the disinformation problem. By integrating philosophical traditions like the Socratic method into AI design, we can build systems that don’t just block or label content, rather, they teach us to question, reflect, and decide.

For TITAN, this offers both a guiding philosophy and a challenge: to design AI that is as much a teacher as it is a tool. (Read the paper here)