Philosophy Has Never Been Closer to Us: COVID-19 Pandemic, Epistemology and Ethics
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26439/en.lineas.generales2021.n5.5415Keywords:
COVID-19 pandemic, philosophy, epistemology, ethicAbstract
In this essay, I show that academically and politicly, it is vital that we discuss as philosophers in relation
to the pandemic, particularly in epistemology and ethics. For many, philosophy seems to be a futile
intellectual activity, important and exciting just for professionals, but of no use to all the rest of us.
Nothing could be further from reality. On the contrary, I demonstrate that philosophy lies well and healthy in
the core of scientific method and justification, from Hume onwards. We have a long-standing tradition of
questioning the basis of knowledge and if it is at all possible. From Hume’s skeptical answer to induction,
we have to add the contemporary theory of the black swan effect. I explore the moral consequences of
political decisions, concluding that in this pandemic, such as in similar future situations, we would be better
off thinking like philosophers and not like traditional politicians.
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References
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