Public Philosophy Journal

By Jordan Liz Abstract: COVID-19 has exposed the marginalization and discrimination experienced by various groups, including the elderly, the immunocompromised, and the poor, as well as women, racial minorities, and others. Drawing on Michel Foucault’s account of state racism and biopower, I examine the ways in which racial and ethnic minorities have been made more vulnerable by the current pandemic. Although the bulk of the article focuses on issues of race, it has important implications for br

By Janet Jones Abstract: How does social distancing affect our sense of self? Our ability to create ourselves? In this article, I explore the value of interacting with strangers for our sense of self and the impact of COVID-19 safety measures on our relationships with others. Specifically, I suggest that strangers can offer us opportunities to try on new identities but that this opportunity is lost as the public realm erodes because of the COVID-19 pandemic. To ask me to stay at home during th

A Contractual Justification for Strong Measures against COVID-19 By Laetitia Ramalett Abstract: Many countries have taken extensive measures to slow COVID-19’s progress and attempt to avert a sanitary collapse. Although the necessity of saving lives seems evident to many of us, these measures will nevertheless have dire economic effects and impose major costs on much of the population. A solid public justification is essential, for which a social contract perspective is useful. I argue that it h

Solidarity Care By Myisha Cherry Abstract: Being aware of social injustices can cause existential and mental pain; comes with a burden; and may impede a flourishing life. However, I shall argue that this is not a reason to despair or to choose to be willfully ignorant. Rather, it’s a reason to conclude that being conscious is not enough. Rather, during times of oppression, resisters must also prioritize well-being. One way to do this is by extending what I refer to as solidarity care. I begin by

Community-Engaged Learning in Times of COVID-19 By Angie Mejia Abstract: In this text, I outline my attempt at restructuring a community-engaged course during a pandemic while also navigating institutional expectations that gloss over the logistical difficulties of modifying this type of curriculum. I argue community-engaged educators should bypass existing resources provided by their universities and look to what those at their discipline’s intellectual margins are providing instead. In a hurri