Viral modernity? Epidemics, infodemics, and the ‘bioinformational’ paradigm

Educational Philosophy and Theory 54 (6):675-697 (2022)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

Viral modernity is a concept based upon the nature of viruses, the ancient and critical role they play in evolution and culture, and the basic application to understanding the role of information and forms of bioinformation in the social world. The concept draws a close association between viral biology on the one hand, and information science on the other – it is an illustration and prime example of bioinformationalism that brings together two of the most powerful forces that now drive cultural evolution. The concept of viral modernity applies to viral technologies, codes and ecosystems in information, publishing, education and emerging knowledge systems. This paper traces the relationship between epidemics, quarantine, and public health management and outlines elements of viral-digital philosophy based on the fusion of living and technological systems. We discuss Covid-19 as a ‘bioinformationalist’ response that represents historically unprecedented level of sharing information from the sequencing of the genome to testing for a vaccination. Finally, we look at the US response to Covid-19 through the lens of infodemics and post-truth. The paper is followed by three open reviews, which further refine its conclusions as they relate to philosophy and the notion of the virus as Pharmakon.

Links

PhilArchive



    Upload a copy of this work     Papers currently archived: 86,403

External links

Setup an account with your affiliations in order to access resources via your University's proxy server

Through your library

Similar books and articles

Epidemics.Rhyddhi Chakraborty (ed.) - 2015 - Dordrecht: Springer.
From post-modernism to modernity again. From modernity to a paradigm shift.Albert Ferrer - 2018 - Educational Philosophy and Theory 50 (14):1428-1429.
Multiple viral pathogenicity: another paradigm in medical research?Julio Sotelo - 1995 - Perspectives in Biology and Medicine 39 (4):507-513.
On the duty to care during epidemics.Daniel Messelken - 2018 - In Daniel Messelken & David T. Winkler (eds.), Ethical Challenges for Military Health Care Personnel : Dealing with Epidemics. London, U.K.: Routledge. pp. 144-163.
Club modernity for reluctant believers.Leonard Swidler - 2007 - Journal for the Study of Religions and Ideologies 6 (16):132-146.
La secolarizzazione: un bilancio.Ugo Perone - 2012 - Annuario Filosofico 28:107-131.

Analytics

Added to PP
2020-04-01

Downloads
22 (#581,027)

6 months
3 (#339,399)

Historical graph of downloads
How can I increase my downloads?

Author's Profile

Michael Peters
Beijing Normal University