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Virtue signalling and the Condorcet Jury theorem
Scott Hill1,2, Renaud-Philippe Garner3
1The Ohio State University at Marion, 1465 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Marion, OH 43302 USA.
Synthese
|November 2, 2021
Summary
Virtue signalling may not provide reliable evidence, contrary to the Condorcet Jury Theorem. Empirical evidence suggests virtue signallers are too conformist for their majority judgments to be trustworthy.
Area of Science:
- Epistemology
- Social Psychology
- Behavioral Economics
Background:
- The Condorcet Jury Theorem suggests that a majority of independent, fallible individuals can arrive at a correct judgment.
- Virtue signalling is often assumed to provide evidence for a proposition's truth based on collective judgment.
- Skepticism arises regarding the independence of individuals engaging in virtue signalling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the applicability of the Condorcet Jury Theorem to virtue signalling.
- To examine the empirical evidence on conformism among virtue signallers.
- To challenge the assumption that collective virtue signalling judgments are epistemically reliable.
Main Methods:
- Review and synthesis of empirical studies on human conformism.
- Analysis of behavioural patterns in contexts associated with virtue signalling.
- Theoretical assessment of independence assumptions within the Condorcet Jury Theorem framework.
Main Results:
- Empirical evidence indicates high levels of conformism in virtue signalling contexts.
- Stereotypical virtue signallers exhibit even greater conformism.
- The independence required for the Condorcet Jury Theorem is unlikely to be met by virtue signallers.
Conclusions:
- The application of the Condorcet Jury Theorem to virtue signalling is questionable due to widespread conformism.
- Skepticism towards the epistemic reliability of collective virtue signalling judgments is warranted.
- Future defenses of virtue signalling must address conformism and demonstrate sufficient judgment independence.
Keywords:
Condorcet Jury TheoremEvidenceLevy, NeilPolarizationTossi and WarmkeTrustVirtue signallingWestra, EvanMore Related Videos
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