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Individual rationality and social pathology: the case of pluralistic ignorance

On the second day of the Wittgenstein Lecture 2026 Kevin will argue that there may be purely social pathologies: epistemic problems that reside entirely at the “group level.” Using a case study of pluralistic ignorance, a phenomenon studied in social psychology, business, philosophy, and political science. Pluralistic ignorance is consistent with individual rationality and can arise in completely rational communities. But what does the possibility of group-level epistemic pathologies mean for how we address collective problems concerning knowledge and belief?

Curious? Then look forward to the Wittgenstein Lecture from June 15 to 19 2026!