The Rehabilitation of the Concept of Public Good: Reappraising the Attacks from Liberalism and Neo-Liberalism from a Poststructuralist PerspectiveMark Olssen
2021 Review of Contemporary Philosophy
doi:
This paper starts by considering twentieth century attacks of the idea
of the public good from liberal quarters: from social choice theory; public choice
theory; and from political liberalism, with reference to Kenneth Arrow, James
Buchanan, Joseph Schumpeter and John Rawls. Despite a prolonged attack against
ideas of the good from liberal economists and political thinkers, spanning the period
from the 1930s to the end of the twentieth century, I argue that the concept of public
good needs rehabilitating as a political concept. The concept of “self-interest” that
guided the liberal economists, and the ontology of individualism that underpinned
Rawls’s writings, have not proved adequate to understanding politics and the logic
of collective action in terms of which politics necessarily operates. My answer will
not seek to provide a modification or revision of the liberal views, or of utilitarianism,
but will proffer a new normative theory which I will claim is necessary in the current
age to guide politics. I argue that new models of science which gained ascendancy
from the start of the twentieth century, as well as poststructuralist ideas can assist a
reconceptualization of the idea of public good to guide politics, accommodate liberty
and diversity, and overcome liberal objections.
Keywords: public good; public interest; liberalism; continuance ethics; poststructuralism;
complexity; T. H. Green; idealism; the good and the right; utilitarianism
The Collapse of Great Empires: Lessons for Today from the Destruction of Jerusalem and the Second TempleHershey H. Friedman
2021 Review of Contemporary Philosophy
doi:
The Second Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans in the
year 70 CE, with a large part of the Jewish population either being killed, sent into
exile, or sold into slavery. The Sages of the Talmud and Midrash attempted to answer
the question as to why Jerusalem and the Temple were demolished. This paper will
examine reasons for this and see what lessons may be learned. One major takeaway
is that baseless hatred and corruption can lead to internecine warfare and even the
collapse of a superpower.
Keywords: Second Temple; Destruction of Jerusalem; Talmud; Zealots; Sicarii;
baseless hatred; corruption; price gouging; Edelman Trust Barometer
Is It Ethically and Legally Acceptable for Governments to Require Citizens to Be Vaccinated against COVID-19?Doina Popescu Ljungholm
2021 Review of Contemporary Philosophy
doi:
We develop a conceptual framework based on a systematic and
comprehensive literature review on whether it is ethically and legally acceptable for
governments to require citizens to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Building our
argument by drawing on data collected from Ada Lovelace Institute, Ipsos, McKinsey,
Morning Consult, The Serco Institute, and Survation, we performed analyses and
made estimates regarding attitudes, behaviors, and perceptions towards mandatory
COVID-19 vaccination. The data for this research were gathered via an online
survey questionnaire. Descriptive statistics of compiled data from the completed
surveys were calculated when appropriate.
Keywords: COVID-19; immunity passport; vaccination certificate; ethics; law
COVID-19 Vaccine Risk Beliefs, Perceptions, Attitudes, and IntentionsLarry Bailey
2021 Review of Contemporary Philosophy
doi:
Empirical evidence on COVID-19 vaccine risk beliefs, perceptions,
attitudes, and intentions has been scarcely documented in the literature. Using and
replicating data from CBS, CEAL, KFF, McKinsey, MSDH/OPHHE, OCHCA, and
WHO, we performed analyses and made estimates regarding hesitancy in getting a
COVID-19 vaccine. Descriptive statistics of compiled data from the completed surveys
were calculated when appropriate.
Keywords: COVID-19; vaccine; risk; perception; hesitancy; skepticism
COVID-19 Threat Perceptions and Willingness to Get Vaccinated: Efficacy, Safety, and Trust ConcernsKimberly Mitchell
2021 Review of Contemporary Philosophy
doi:
The purpose of this study was to empirically examine COVID-19 threat
perceptions and willingness to get vaccinated in relation to efficacy, safety, and trust
concerns. Building my argument by drawing on data collected from ASPE, CBS,
Hertfordshire County Council, KFF, OECD, Pew Research Center, Purpose, UN,
and University of Florida/CPIC, I performed analyses and made estimates regarding
attitudes and intentions toward COVID-19 vaccination during such a public health
crisis. Descriptive statistics of compiled data from the completed surveys were
calculated when appropriate.
Keywords: vaccine; hesitancy; COVID-19; side effect; mistrust; perception
COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: Misperception, Distress, and SkepticismKevin Morris
2021 Review of Contemporary Philosophy
doi:
This paper analyzes the outcomes of an exploratory review of the
current research on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in relation to misperception,
distress, and skepticism. The data used for this study was obtained and replicated
from previous research conducted by ASPE, Healthwatch Bexley, KFF, Pew
Research Center, and WHO. I performed analyses and made estimates regarding
drivers of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, reluctance, and refusal. Data collected from
6,600 respondents are tested against the research model. Descriptive statistics of
compiled data from the completed surveys were calculated when appropriate.
Keywords: COVID-19; vaccine; hesitancy; belief; attitude; perceived risk
The Language of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Public Health Misinformation: Distrust, Unwillingness, and UncertaintyGeorge Lăzăroiu
2021 Review of Contemporary Philosophy
doi:
The aim of this paper is to synthesize and analyze existing evidence
on the language of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and public health misinformation
in relation to distrust, unwillingness, and uncertainty. Using and replicating data
from CEAL, Healthwatch Bexley, KFF, MissionSquare Research Institute, MSDH/
OPHHE, OECD, Pandemic Action Network, and WHO, we performed analyses and
made estimates regarding COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, hesitancy, and resistance.
Descriptive statistics of compiled data from the completed surveys were calculated
when appropriate.
Keywords: COVID-19; vaccine; acceptance; hesitancy; resistance; misinformation
COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy, Delay, and Refusal: Insufficient Knowledge, Complacency, and Distrust of the Medical SystemRuth Davis
2021 Review of Contemporary Philosophy
doi:
Despite the relevance of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, delay, and
refusal in relation to insufficient knowledge, complacency, and distrust of the medical
system, only limited research has been conducted on this topic. Using and replicating
data from The Aspen Institute, de Beaumont, Healthwatch Bexley, Hertfordshire
County Council, Horizon Research, KFF, and Sabin Vaccine Institute, I performed
analyses and made estimates regarding COVID-19 threat perceptions and vaccine
hesitancy. The results of a study based on data collected from 6,400 respondents
provide support for my research model. Descriptive statistics of compiled data from
the completed surveys were calculated when appropriate.
Keywords: COVID-19; vaccine; hesitancy; fear of infection; threat perception