Fragile Epistemic Subjects in the Context of Disability and Chronic Illness

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The project seeks to take the research on epistemic injustice in the context of health care, disability, and chronic illness a step further by (a) developing a theory of disabled and/or chronically ill persons as fragile epistemic subjects, and (b) exploring the implications of this theory for social policies and institutional processes in health care contexts. The aim of the project is to investigate the ameliorative potential for social, medical, and legal institutions as well as social practices with regard to both chronically ill and/or disabled persons. The insights gained from this analysis could greatly improve (i) our understanding of current shortcomings of the interaction between differently positioned individuals in these contexts, (ii) possible strategies for overcoming such problematic interactions, both structurally and interpersonally, and (iii) the functioning of democratic institutions that are part of the health care system (broadly understood) and our flourishing in democratic society.