Vaccine Hesitancy by Maya J. Goldenberg
Vaccine Hesitancy by Maya J. Goldenberg – Public Trust, Expertise, and the War on Science – is a mixed bag for me. What I liked was that she issues with vaccine hesitancy from a philosophical perspective, as this is her background. That was valuable and interesting. I didn’t like how she presented the Wakefield & MMR & autism problem, this is why I gave the book 3 stars.
She says that while the governments and the scientific community were focused on the idea that the public is scientifically ignorant, she believes that the issue lies in mistrust. I understood her point and I will explore that idea, but if you understand science you don’t need to trust it, you trust things you don’t understand.
Overall I think the book is interesting. I don’t agree with many of her points, maybe because I’m too scientifically-minded. Even so, her ideas made me think and it helped me in my research. I am recommending the book, but, at the same time, I know the topic is not exactly particularly appealing to a wide audience. It is a short book, so, if you are curious about a philosophical perspective towards vaccine hesitancy instead of a scientifical perspective, then this is a very good read.
I would have given the book more stars, 4 or maybe 5, if she would have reigned in the whole “maverick” Wakefield chapter.
Vaccine Hesitancy by Maya J. Goldenberg
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My rating: 3/5 Stars
Would I recommend it: yes
Published by: University of Pittsburgh Press
Year it was published: 2021
Format: Paperback
Genre(s): Philosophy
Pages: 264
About the author: Maya J. Goldenberg is associate professor of philosophy in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Guelph. Her research centers on the philosophy of science and medicine, with interest in the connection between science and values.
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I’m not sure I would enjoy a philosophical approach to this topic… though I’m sure the whole idea of “public trust” could be an interesting topic. (in government and science in particular)
Kelly recently posted…Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank
It’s a bit different. I’m doing my dissertation on vaccine hesitancy, so reading another perspective helped. Public trust is government and science is a fascinating topic, you are right.