Online Misinformation Analysis through Wittgensteinian Lens

We propose a novel method for online misinformation analysis based on a Wittgensteinian approach. We found no previous work that use Wittgenstein’s early philosophy for misinformation analysis. The works of Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889-1951) are usually divided into two: the early and the later philosophy. Wittgenstein’s book Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus (TL-P) is regarded as his early masterpiece. The TL-P is concerned with the role facts play in the world. According to TL-P, the world is composed of facts and we connect with facts by our thoughts. Our thoughts picture the world and are expressed through propositions. The system for online content analysis, described here, is a descriptive tool to clarify the thoughts and propositions found within online content analysed. Web-based written non-graphical information (articles, commentary etc.) is analysed and then scored based on criteria designed to evaluate the information quality of the content. Our hypothesis is that when applied to Web browsers and online social media platforms, the rating produced by this information quality analysis system will help users discern content qualitatively and engage more analytically with other users.