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Coronavirus

28th Apr 2020

What can philosophy teach us about the global pandemic?

Oli Dugmore

What matters more?

The COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating for the United Kingdom, as it has been for much of the world. Thousands are dying and with the country in lockdown, many more are either losing their jobs or being placed on furlough.

The continued fallout of the pandemic has forced us to confront a balance between the now: protecting the elderly and the sick, and the future, indebting the young and the productive.

AC Grayling is a philosopher, author and Master of the New College of the Humanities in London.

JOE spoke to him about the ethics surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, the question facing us all regarding where we face our values when confronted with this balance, and herd immunity.