Epistemic Injustice and Illness
Top Cited Papers
Open Access
- 8 February 2016
- journal article
- Published by Wiley in Journal of Applied Philosophy
- Vol. 34 (2), 172-190
- https://doi.org/10.1111/japp.12172
Abstract
This article analyses the phenomenon of epistemic injustice within contemporary healthcare. We begin by detailing the persistent complaints patients make about their testimonial frustration and hermeneutical marginalization, and the negative impact this has on their care. We offer an epistemic analysis of this problem using Miranda Fricker's account of epistemic injustice. We detail two types of epistemic injustice, testimonial and hermeneutical, and identify the negative stereotypes and structural features of modern healthcare practices that generate them. We claim that these stereotypes and structural features render ill persons especially vulnerable to these two types of epistemic injustice. We end by proposing five avenues for further work on epistemic injustice in healthcare.Keywords
Funding Information
- Wellcome Trust (103340)
- British Academy (MD120061)