Misinforming to Inform: Probity and Epistemic Paternalism in Public Health Communication
Communicating to the public about their health risks is a central activity of public health institutions. Yet the ethical and philosophical basis for such communications are under-theorised. Ensuring, for instance, that risk communication is honest, transparent and accurate might seem uncontroversial. Communicators, however, often prioritise simplicity over accuracy, confidence over uncertainty, and messages which effectively change behaviour over those that promote true beliefs. This grant proposal in progress will outline a project of work to clarify when risk communicators may ‘misinform to inform’, as well as addressing other philosophical and ethical issues that arise in the context of public health communication.
A hybrid event for Uehiro Oxford Institute Members and Associates (booking not required).
