Information Literacy for Mortals - Epistemology - Provocation Series

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Angel

Information Literacy for Mortals argues that information literacy must be honest about human limits when facing real-world decisions under constraints. The essay contrasts complex spreadsheet-based analysis with simple decision rules, showing how pursuit of detail can distort present judgment and increase error. Drawing on decision-structure examples and research on “rationality for mortals,” it critiques assumptions that more information automatically produces better outcomes, linking the problem to an idealized “secularized God” model of rationality.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

Information Literacy for Mortals

Epistemology and constraints

Two ways to estimate affordability

When complexity misleads

Rationality for mortals and rules of thumb

Critique of omniscience assumptions

Project Information Literacy Provocation Series Information Literacy for Mortals In the academic imagination, depth and attention are the highest of virtues. But in pushing students to apply high-attention strategies to all incoming information, we risk creating a new and dangerous shallowness. E P I S T E M O LO G Y BY MIKE CAULFIELD DECEMBER 14, 2021 Tweet In this essay, I will talk (eventually) about information literacy, misinformation, and the fallibility of human reason. But, if you’ll indulge mejust a bit, I want to talk about real-world decision-making ³rst. In looking at the structure of decisions we can better illuminate how the information-seeking process works when up against constraints—and it’s an information literacy that is honest about constraints that I argue we must embrace. So let’s start with this: I am currently in the middle of a job transition. My wife and I have begun the process of looking for an a²ordable neighborhood. But what is a􀂋ordable? Our current house was bought with di²erent salary assumptions, but the housing market has shiëed. For the ³rst time in our lives, we actually have accrued some value in our current house that allows for a substantial down payment. On the less positive side, we’re moving into an expensive market where even entry-level housing is going to put a bigger hole in our budget than we are used to. The house prices are, frankly, a bit shocking. We’re going to have to spend more, but are unsure how far we can push our housing budget. What do we do to ³gure out the maximum amount we can spend? One approach might be to list out all of our income and all of our expenses. We could then decide which expenses we could cut, where we could consolidate items, and plot likely future earnings and required savings. Get the spreadsheet out. We could really throw ourselves into it—what is the di²erence in grocery costs in our new neighborhood? How much is the house likely to appreciate in value? Or we could do what most people do: Start with the rule that in the United States one should not spend more than 28% of gross income on a house. From there, if there is anything particularly unusual about the house (requires extensive repairs) or us (two kids in college atthe moment) we can nudge that percentage down a bit. We’d start not with a complex spreadsheet, but with a simple rule. [https://projectinfolit.org/pubs/provocation-series/essays/information-literacy-for-mortals.html](https://projectinfolit.org/pubs/provocation-series/essays/information-literacy-for-mortals.html) 1/9 12/17/21, 12:49 PM Information Literacy for Mortals | PIL Provocation Series Photo by Joshua Earle on Unsplash In the Face of Complexity, Less Can Be More As you’re probably aware, ³nancial experts recommend the second course of action. Many people assume that recommendation is based on the lack of skill of the average homeowner—that is, that the recommendation is for those that don’t know how to work a spreadsheet, or how to research likely home appreciation rates. The rule is ³ne for the rookies, people think, but to make a really good decision requires several orders of magnitude more research, background knowledge, and study. But this is not the case. The rule is there because the complexity of the decision makes a farce of pursuing detail. Yes, I can plot out my current expenses to the last penny, and perhaps I would ³nd I can spend much more than anticipated on a house. But what about unexpected future expenses? Likewise, I can calculate our current spending, but levels of spending are relative in part to the amount of disposable income a family has. Add to this what we’ve all observed in ourselves or others when we’re just dying to make a purchase that is out of our budget: The more calculations in our “can I a²ord this?” calculus, the more opportunities there are for us to unwittingly put a thumb on the scale. We oëendon’t know we’re doing it: The house or apartment is a

FAQs

What is the essay’s main claim about information literacy?

Information literacy should acknowledge constraints and human fallibility, especially in real-world decision-making. The essay argues that relying on limitless detail can create a dangerous shallowness.

How does the essay compare spreadsheets with simple rules?

It contrasts detailed calculations and spreadsheet modeling with a simple affordability rule. The essay claims complexity can make decisions worse by amplifying opportunities for error and bias.

What does the essay mean by “rationality for mortals”?

It refers to the idea that simple rules can outperform heavy computation in many contexts. The essay cites research showing that more information and precision sometimes lead to worse bottom-line decisions.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Angel