![]() | Ivan Cerovac |
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01.03.2023-28.04.2023
John Stuart Mill and Contagious Diseases Acts
The research does not focus on Mill's evaluation of any epidemic-related decision's substantive qualities (although I use some of his arguments in this regard). Instead, it focuses on Mill's assessment of decision-making (and decision-authorizing) procedures' qualities.
The research stems from my earlier research in epistemic democracy and characterizes Mill as an early epistemic democracy and an epistemic liberal.
The research has three objectives:
1) to systemize Mill's political thought with respect of contagious diseases and public health, identifying which relevant political principles can be applied when discussing coercive epidemiologic measures and regulation that limit some basic rights and liberties.
2) to evaluate existing measures and regulations (and their justification) used to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic from the Millian standpoint, putting a special emphasis on his thoughts regarding the fair distribution of burdens related to epidemiologic measures.
3) to contribute to the existing debate on the legitimacy of democratic procedures (and their epistemic value) by re-assessing the role of technical experts in the decision-making process.