If we assume that the main task of the social sciences is to provide a theoretical understanding of the events taking place in the world, then the past year and a half since the start of the coronavirus pandemic has provided sufficient time to start doing this. The specific nature of the social sciences in the 21st century is the almost-obligatory combination of theory with a set of values and an ethical imperative. In this regard, the question of ethical analysis of the pandemic is quite appropriate.
Here it could be interesting to look at previous examples. The world wars gave rise to the concept of collective security. The Cuban missile crisis has shaped the modern theory of foreign policy decision-making. The aftermath of many previous major disasters has yielded some form of ethical and theoretical analysis. After Chernobyl, the theory of risk society emerged, which was further developed after Fukushima. What new theory will emerge after Covid? Is it only the theory of the green transformation imperative? After all, the thesis that the Covid crisis should provide a convenient start for restructuring the world economy on green principles is becoming more and more popular. If you look at the global agenda today, its main focus is not at all on overcoming the consequences of the pandemic, but on climate and decarbonisation. Does this mean that the pandemic, in fact, has become only a pretext for a green transformation and therefore does not deserve attention in itself?
During the year and a half of Covid, there has been a discussion about whether the world has changed after the pandemic or remained the same. Various answers to this dilemma are reflected in the publications of the Valdai Discussion Club.in our opinion, properly in this context, the issue of ethical responsibility and an ethical understanding of the pandemic should be considered. What is perhaps quite clear is that the pandemic did not change the egoism of states in world politics. From this point of view, nothing has really changed.
In any case, there is the natural question of what should be done (if anything should it be done at all) to make the consequences of eventual future pandemics less devastating than today? To understand why this choice is ethical, it also makes sense to look at previous disasters. Again, after Chernobyl and Fukushima, the world began to rethink nuclear energy and ideas about its safety; it was removed from the green/clean spectrum. In the discussions held during the first years after both accidents, opinions that the ethical choice of mankind should be the rejection of nuclear power were loudly voiced. Over time, however, they came to naught.
Here the question of how strategies are chosen clearly arises, and Chernobyl can be said to resemble a pandemic. The question is, which is better: to develop in this or that direction, which has been working normally and profitably for decades (cheapness and purity of nuclear energy), knowing that once in a generation a catastrophe can occur, or completely abandoning it.
A similar question arises in relation to a pandemic: is it necessary to create emergency medical capacity (beds) and infectious diseases hospitals, which are not really needed from year to year in the developed countries of the modern world, with their level of healthcare development? Would it be better to redirect these resources, in the interests of society, to other goals (we wont consider the corruption-generating component of this optimisation of medical infrastructure in a number of cases). Are pandemics a once-in-a-generation (or more often) occurrence? A catastrophe can occur, like Covid, for which the medical system in most countries will not be ready. Is it necessary to keep medical reserves in a frozen state and waste resources on them, given the usual state of affairs?
Therefore, even now, if we assume that Covid is an exception, something that could happen once in a generation, then there is no need to keep medical reserves any longer and return to optimisation in ordinary conditions. It seems that several years after the end of the epidemic, this creeping transition back to abandoning reserves and optimising medical infrastructure will somehow happen. This is how the crawling return to nuclear power happened a few years after Chernobyl and Fukushima. Thus, from the point of view of the ethical perception of the challenges of the risk society, nothing really has changed. And heightened ethical responsibility, at least at the level of a desire to change something, will lose steam after first couple of years.
A separate topic related to the ethical perception of the pandemic is a kind of medical totalitarianism, when medical officials determine the basic parameters of the life of society (quarantines, lockdowns, masks, etc.). As the first fears of uncertainty subsided last spring, this medical totalitarianism increasingly began to be perceived as a real threat to human rights and freedoms. Therefore, it led to large-scale social protests in many countries, which often took on a violent nature. Will this medical totalitarianism (a kind of medical analogue of the movie The Matrix) become, not a one-off reaction of the authorities to the pandemic, but a long-term aspect of the new normal where restrictions remain with us forever? There is an understandable managerial temptation to do so. The more restrictions and prohibitions, the simpler the system of control becomes. Here a new nuance appears to the thesis that nothing has changed in the world.
Another area of the new normal after Covid is the issue of poverty, food security and hunger. The economic crisis expected to follow the pandemic, the rise in unemployment, etc., can become delayed long-term triggers to strengthen these processes. Food security is also linked to climate change. All this can lead to obvious social consequences - including the possible erosion and depletion of the global middle class. In turn, these processes can increase migration flows, despite borders, at present, being more tightly closed. Incidentally, it is quite possible to maintain enhanced border controls from a long-term, post-Covid perspective or to selectively open them - since for developed countries the closed borders represent a convenient tool to control unwanted migration pressure, a temptation that wont be given up lightly. Thus, it is possible to predict the growing social stratification both within countries and between them - as a real medium-term consequence of the pandemic. Superimposed on the almost inevitable stratification of winners and losers in the green transformation/hydrogen economy, this could be an important factor in the evolution of the world in the future. Thus, the post-Covid world will become more socially polarised than it is now. This will also become part of the new normal and just another nuance to the thesis that nothing has changed in the world. And the new ethics will have to explain this.
As a result, it seems that the coronavirus "does not deserve" serious ethical comprehension (at least so far) at the level of value determinants of world politics, similar to the comprehension of wars and nuclear disasters. Does this mean that the pandemic is just an annoying accident, which should not distract humanity from other really important matters?
Here is the original post:
Global Ethical Responsibility in the Context of Covid - Valdai Discussion Club
- Egoism | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2016]
- PHILOSOPHY Ethics [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2016]
- Ethical Egoism - Seven Pillars Institute [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2016]
- Egoism | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2016]
- Ethical egoism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2016]
- Ethical Egoism - spot.colorado.edu [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2016]
- Ethics Updates - Ethical Egoism [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2016]
- Ethical Egoism - Drury University [Last Updated On: March 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 21st, 2016]
- Dr. Charles Kay Egoism [Last Updated On: March 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 23rd, 2016]
- Ethical Egoism - Lander University [Last Updated On: March 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 23rd, 2016]
- The Differences Between Utilitarianism & Ethical Egoism [Last Updated On: June 7th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 7th, 2016]
- Ethical egoism - RationalWiki [Last Updated On: June 7th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 7th, 2016]
- The Differences Between Utilitarianism & Ethical Egoism [Last Updated On: June 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 8th, 2016]
- Ayn Rand - Ethical Egoism [Last Updated On: June 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 8th, 2016]
- Ethical Egoism - Carnegie Mellon University [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2016]
- Ethical Egoism - University of Colorado Boulder [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2016]
- Ethical Egoism and Biblical Self-Interest | Papers at ... [Last Updated On: June 26th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 26th, 2016]
- Psychological Egoism vs Ethical Egoism | Flow Psychology [Last Updated On: June 27th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 27th, 2016]
- Ethical Egoism and Biblical Self-Interest | Papers at ... [Last Updated On: June 27th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 27th, 2016]
- Psychological Egoism vs Ethical Egoism | Flow Psychology [Last Updated On: June 28th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 28th, 2016]
- Psychological Egoism - Philosophy Home Page [Last Updated On: July 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 10th, 2016]
- Egoism - Queensborough Community College [Last Updated On: July 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 10th, 2016]
- Ethical Egoism - College Essays - 1656 Words - StudyMode [Last Updated On: July 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 10th, 2016]
- Egoism - New World Encyclopedia [Last Updated On: July 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 10th, 2016]
- Dave's Philosophy - Ethics: Ethical Egoism & Altruism [Last Updated On: August 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 10th, 2016]
- Ethical Egoism - Education [Last Updated On: September 20th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 20th, 2016]
- Ethical Egoism - Mega Essays [Last Updated On: October 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 29th, 2016]
- Rational egoism - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: November 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 21st, 2016]
- Psychological Egoism - University of Idaho [Last Updated On: December 7th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 7th, 2016]
- Psychological Egoism | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy [Last Updated On: December 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 21st, 2016]
- Comparing Psychological & Ethical Egoism - Study.com [Last Updated On: December 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 25th, 2016]
- Consequentialism - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: December 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 25th, 2016]
- More than a game: ND Ethics Week examines sports and the common good - ND Newswire [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- THE BACKSTORY: How Trump got to yes on Gorusch -- PLAYBOOK EXCLUSIVE: PETRAEUS warns US ... - Politico [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Lecture series explores ethics in sports industry - Observer Online [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- The Weakness and wickedness of Kiir's Administration: South Sudan in political and ethnic crisis - Borglobe [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Rebel Crossings by Sheila Rowbotham review feminist utopian dreams - The Guardian [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Human Nature, Morality, & Salvation Jewish Theology Pt. IV - Patheos (blog) [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- A Jewish Social Vision Jewish Theology, Pt. VI - Patheos (blog) [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Reinhold Niebuhr and our common good - Bowling Green Daily News [Last Updated On: March 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 5th, 2017]
- Pope Francis, Religion, Capitalism, and Ayn Rand - The Objective Standard [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2017]
- In defence of hedonism - Irish Times [Last Updated On: March 29th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 29th, 2017]
- Ahmad Zahid: Satirism is not a Malaysian culture - Yahoo News - Yahoo News [Last Updated On: April 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 15th, 2017]
- Debate: Is Ayn Rand right about rights? - Learn Liberty (blog) [Last Updated On: April 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2017]
- Here's What Happens When the US and Mexico Fight - Americas Quarterly [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2017]
- Psychological Egoism and Ethical Egoism [Last Updated On: May 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2017]
- Ethical issues in Nigeria's higher education and governance - Nigeria Today [Last Updated On: May 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 26th, 2017]
- Are These 5 Grievances About Millennials Character Strengths? - monroviaweekly [Last Updated On: May 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 26th, 2017]
- 'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt' Season Three Proves It's The Smartest Show On Television - Decider [Last Updated On: May 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 26th, 2017]
- Are These 5 Grievances About Millennials Character Strengths? - Siera Madre Weekly [Last Updated On: May 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 28th, 2017]
- Considerations for Planning Humanitarian Operations in Hybrid Warfare - smallwarsjournal [Last Updated On: May 30th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 30th, 2017]
- Why Is It Difficult to Live Together in Differences? (A Reflection) - Netralnews [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2017]
- Free ethical relativism Essays and Papers - 123helpme [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2017]
- 'Wounded but not dead' Cassola says AD right in not joini... - MaltaToday [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2017]
- Mailbag: The limits of ethical egoism - Albany Democrat Herald [Last Updated On: June 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 23rd, 2017]
- Orwell vs Huxley vs Zamyatin: Who would win a dystopian fiction contest? - Scroll.in [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2017]
- egoism | philosophy | Britannica.com [Last Updated On: June 30th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 30th, 2017]
- IDF Medics to Learn Groundbreaking Trauma Procedure - Breaking Israel News [Last Updated On: July 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 17th, 2017]
- The Courage to Face a Lifetime: On the Enduring Value of Ayn Rand's Philosophy - IAI News [Last Updated On: July 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 27th, 2017]
- On Albert Einstein's peaceful musings - The Livingston County News [Last Updated On: July 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 28th, 2017]
- Egoism: Examples and Definition | Philosophy Terms [Last Updated On: August 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 9th, 2017]
- You say you want a revolution - Boulder Weekly [Last Updated On: August 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 25th, 2017]
- US Expels Cuban Diplomats for Threatening National Security - Headlinez Pro [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2019]
- Beyond the chorus of indignation - The Jerusalem Post [Last Updated On: October 24th, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2019]
- mile Durkheim and the Religion of Liberal Democracy - Tablet Magazine [Last Updated On: November 17th, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 17th, 2019]
- What Is Ethical Egoism? - ThoughtCo [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2019]
- Ethical Egoism Theory Explained - HRF [Last Updated On: February 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 29th, 2020]
- 15 Important Pros and Cons of Ethical Egoism ConnectUS [Last Updated On: April 9th, 2020] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2020]
- On the Mode of Existence of Smart Urban Object - ArchDaily [Last Updated On: May 24th, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 24th, 2020]
- Vladimir Putin: The real lessons of the 75th anniversary of World War II - The New Times [Last Updated On: June 20th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 20th, 2020]
- 75th Anniversary of the Great Victory: Shared Responsibility to History and our Future - New Europe [Last Updated On: June 20th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 20th, 2020]
- The Difference Between Ethical Egoism & Ethical ... [Last Updated On: August 8th, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 8th, 2020]
- Book Review: Philanthropy - Can the rich save the world? - Independent Catholic News [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2021]
- North Korea criticises nations for piling up the excessive supply of COVID-19 vaccines - WION [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2021]
- Religious Diversity And Religious Revival Will Come Together OpEd - Eurasia Review [Last Updated On: July 14th, 2021] [Originally Added On: July 14th, 2021]
- The Goal of Yoga - Daily Pioneer [Last Updated On: July 14th, 2021] [Originally Added On: July 14th, 2021]
- My daughter no longer speaks to me or my husband, and mocked our family values. Do we cut her out of her $2 million inheritance? - MarketWatch [Last Updated On: July 29th, 2021] [Originally Added On: July 29th, 2021]
- Ch. 3: Ethical Egoism - Lucid Philosophy [Last Updated On: October 19th, 2021] [Originally Added On: October 19th, 2021]
- What Is Ethical Egoism and its Examples Example | GraduateWay [Last Updated On: December 23rd, 2021] [Originally Added On: December 23rd, 2021]
- 10 Denim Industry Experts on the Highs, Lows and Predictions for 2022 - Sourcing Journal [Last Updated On: January 24th, 2022] [Originally Added On: January 24th, 2022]