SHADOWS AND SIMULACRA IN MENTAL DISTRESS

A READING OF INFORMATIONAL PATHOLOGIES IN HIGHER EDUCATION THROUGH PLATO'S ALLEGORY OF THE CAVE

Authors

  • José Carlos Sales dos Santos Federal University of Bahia image/svg+xml , Instituto de Ciência da Informação
  • Fabiana Costa Lavigne Federal University of Bahia image/svg+xml
  • Paulo André dos Santos Federal University of Bahia image/svg+xml
  • Luciana Dias Silva Federal University of Bahia image/svg+xml
  • Joanice Nascimento Santos Universidade Federal da Bahia

Keywords:

informational patholog, infodemic, higher education, allegory of the cave, Information Science

Abstract

This study analyzes informational pathologies in higher education through a contemporary reinterpretation of Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, establishing theoretical links between the Platonic philosophical-pedagogical narrative and modern informational challenges. We explore how the superabundance of data, information, and communicative stimuli causes psychological distress and compromises university students' critical thinking capacities. The central question asks: how can Plato’s Allegory of the Cave support the analysis of informational pathologies in higher education from an Information Science perspective? To address this, the article aims to analyze these pathologies using the Allegory to offer new readings within Information Science. Conducted as a theoretical-reflective study grounded in philosophical literature and research on infodemics and informational pathologies, the analysis reveals that informational excess, fragmented attention, and the rapid circulation of superficial content contribute to information anxiety, information fatigue syndrome, and obstacles in knowledge formation. Furthermore, the discussion demonstrates that the infodemic exemplifies contemporary informational pathologies, fostering psychological illness and undermining intellectual autonomy. In conclusion, the study highlights that the Allegory of the Cave remains a vital interpretive framework for understanding 21st-century educational and informational dilemmas. Ultimately, it emphasizes the urgent need for strategies aimed at fostering information literacy skills to cultivate critical engagement in contemporary academic environments.

Author Biographies

  • José Carlos Sales dos Santos, Federal University of Bahia, Instituto de Ciência da Informação

    Associate Professor (full-time) at the Department of Documentation and Information (DDI), Institute of Information Science at the Federal University of Bahia (ICI/UFBA). Coordinator of the Graduate Program in Information Science (PPGCI/UFBA) for the 2023–2025 term. Ph.D. and Master’s in Information Science from PPGCI/UFBA (FAPESB scholar). Post-graduate specialist in Integrated Organizational Communication Management from the Graduate Center in Administration (NPGA/EAUFBA). Bachelor’s degree in Library Science and Documentation from ICI/UFBA and Clinical Psychologist with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Salvador University (Unifacs), having completed a specialized internship in Hospital Psychology at Aristides Maltez Hospital (HAM). Editor-in-Chief of the scientific journal Fontes Documentais. Lead Researcher at the Laboratory of Practices in Psychology and Information Science (LAPCI) research group. Faculty Supervisor of the Interdisciplinary Academic League of Information and Health (LAINFOS/ICI/UFBA). Has experience in teaching and tutoring at the Superintendency of Distance Education (SEAD/UFBA). Research interests include: human information behavior, information subjects, information needs, information anxiety and normosis, information and mental health, information mediation and circulation, and information appropriation.

  • Fabiana Costa Lavigne, Federal University of Bahia

    Holds a Bachelor's degree in Executive Secretarial Studies from the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), with post-graduate specializations in Public Management and People Management. She earned her Master's degree in Information Science from the Graduate Program in Information Science (PPGCI/UFBA) and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the same program and institution. Her research focuses on human information behavior, with an emphasis on information anxiety, information behavior, and mental health in academic contexts. She serves as Vice-Lead of the research group Laboratory of Practices in Psychology and Information Science (LAPCI), conducting interdisciplinary studies that combine information, emotions, and professional practices. She has extensive experience in university management and currently serves as Executive Secretary to the Office of the Dean and the Board of Directors at the Faculty of Medicine of Bahia (UFBA), playing a strategic role in academic and administrative processes.

  • Paulo André dos Santos, Federal University of Bahia

    Master's student in Information Science at the Graduate Program in Information Science (PPGCI/UFBA) and CAPES scholarship holder. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Pedagogy (Teaching Degree) from FSBA (2010), a Bachelor's degree in Portuguese Language and Literature from UFBA (2020), and a post-graduate specialization in Special Education from UNINASSAU (2021). He is currently a member of the Study and Research Group on Assessment for Learning (UFBA/FACED) and the Laboratory of Practices in Psychology and Information Science (LAPCI - UFBA/ICI). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3646-2675

  • Luciana Dias Silva, Federal University of Bahia

    Holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Logistics from the University Center of Bahia (2007), a Bachelor's degree in Land Transportation: Transport and Traffic Management from the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA, 2015), and a Bachelor's degree in Archival Science from UFBA (2023). She holds post-graduate specializations in Higher Education Teaching from UNINASSAU and in Data Science and Big Data Analytics from Faculdade Metropolitana. She is currently a Master's student in Information Science at the Graduate Program in Information Science (PPGCI/UFBA). She is a member of the research groups Laboratory of Practices in Psychology and Information Science (LAPCI/UFBA) and the Study and Research Group on Assessment for Learning (GEPAA/UFBA). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6279-2272

  • Joanice Nascimento Santos, Universidade Federal da Bahia

    Master's student in Information Science, with a Bachelor's degree in Library Science and Documentation from the Federal University of Bahia (2006) and a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from the Catholic University of Salvador (2002). She works as an Academic Librarian at the Federal University of Bahia. She has experience in Information Science, focusing on information practices, information behavior, and access to information on the internet. In Social Work, she has professional experience in healthcare, human resources, and basic sanitation.

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Published

2026-11-13

Conference Proceedings Volume

2026: XXVI ENCONTRO NACIONAL DE PESQUISA E PÓS-GRADUAÇÃO EM CIÊNCIA DA INFORMAÇÃO

Section

GT 11 – Informação & Saúde

Categories