Ian J. Kidd (Nottingham): 'Pathophobia, Vices, and the Awfulness of Illness'

This talk introduces the concept of pathophobia - a term to capture the variety of morally objectionable forms of treatment to which ill persons are typically subjected. I argue that such awful treatment can be usefully analysed into five clusters of pathophobic vices and illustrate these using examples from illness narratives. Philosophical analysis of these vices helps us to identify potential corrective strategies which can involve changes at the individual and structural levels. I'll end by drawing on some of David Benatar's remarks to sketch out some connections between pathophobia and misanthropy.