Katy Fulfer

Philosophy in the world

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Positive and negative solidarity in pandemic times

In a previous post,  Janet raised questions about how solidarity might spontaneously arise during the pandemic to challenge anti-Asian racism. Drawing on Arendt and Dean, Janet emphasizes that responsibility to others, rather than feelings of affection or good will, must be central in a conception of solidarity. I have also drawn attention  to the need for a relational account of solidarity in relation to public health ethics. In the past month, the spontaneity of solidarity seems to have … [Read more...]

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Spontaneous solidarity – a new way forward?

What does solidarity mean? This is a question I’ve been grappling with since the pandemic started. It might be a strange topic to be thinking about, given that a lot of people are concerned with public health and vaccines, but I think their questions and mine are related. Think about it this way: aren’t the lockdown measures a symbol of solidarity? By complying with the stay-at-home orders, we’re demonstrating solidarity with the sick and vulnerable, friends and colleagues, our family, and even … [Read more...]

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Thoughts on attentive listening in a masked, post-pandemic public

"When are things going to get back to normal?" is a question I hear often. Others point out that "normal" will be drastically different. On April 27, Ontario released A Framework for Reopening Our Province. The plan emphasizes the slow and the incremental. I imagine what changes I will encounter in the future: Will a server take my temperature before I enter a restaurant? At the movie theater, will there be several empty seats separating me (and the popcorn bucket) from my friends? Will I wear a … [Read more...]

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Losing public spaces, losing oneself

In early March, I had the privilege of speaking at the Wanner Mennonite Church in Cambridge, ON. I was invited to speak about my research – how the public’s perception of addiction affects the ability of people with addiction to recover. It was the first time I had been invited to speak at a church! A call to action The pastor and I spoke a few weeks before my visit. He asked me what kind of presentation I had in mind. It seemed like a peculiar question at the time; I told him that I was … [Read more...]

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On physical distancing and community

"We don't call it 'social distancing,' because what we offer here is not only food, it's human connection, even when we must stay physically further apart." This statement was made by the Rev. Dr. Anna Pearson. She is the rector at the Church of the Holy Apostles, which runs New York City's largest soup kitchen. Because of I work with my local Food Not Bombs chapter (which I have discussed previously), I read with interest the New Yorker's April 6 spotlight on how the kitchen, which has not … [Read more...]