The Epistemology of Disasters and Social Change: Pandemics, Protests, and Possibilities, co-authored by renowned feminist philosopher Jordan Pascoe and PRI Director Mitch Stripling, a public health crisis response expert, explores the profound ways in which disasters – ranging from earthquakes and plagues to terrorist attacks and global pandemics – reshape our societal structures and belief systems. Pascoe and Stripling argue that disasters do not merely leave physical scars; they challenge our certainties and create unique opportunities for social transformation.
The authors offer a unique perspective on the intersection of disasters and social change. Drawing on an interdisciplinary approach that includes social epistemology, disaster sociology, psychology, and feminist philosophy, The Epistemology of Disasters and Social Change delves into how these calamitous events can either lead to disinformation and authoritarianism or foster greater solidarity and human rights. The textbook emphasizes the importance of the choices we make in the midst of crises and how those decisions impact our collective future.
Sarah Clark Miller of Pennsylvania State University praises the book as “interdisciplinary work at its finest,” highlighting its original framework that not only explains the destructive power of disasters but also illuminates the possibilities for social and political transformation.
The Epistemology of Disasters and Social Change is an essential read for scholars, policymakers, and anyone interested in fostering a more equitable and just society in the face of inevitable future crises.
The textbook is published by Rowman & Littlefield and is available in hardback and e-book formats today.