The Research On Epistemic Injustice In Social Epistemology

Epistemic injustice is one of the most important topics of Social Epistemology.This paper mainly starts from the “epistemic injustice” proposed by Miranda Fricker,and explores the path towards epistemic justice by analyzing its causes and harm caused.In Fricker’s opinion,epistemic injustice refers to in a wrong done to someone specifically in their capacity as a knower,especially in the testimony exchange,the hearer is easily affected by prejudice and thus reduces the trust of the speaker.Simply put,if you are in an environment where there is prejudice and low-credibility,you will be affected by epistemic injustice and your cognitive abilities will be reduced.The main causes of epistemic injustice are prejudice and credibility.First of all,starting from the identity prejudice or biased stereotype,the speaker suffers from epistemic injustice.Because prejudice makes cognitive subjects make a negative judgment without conclusive evidence.Moreover,under the influence of biased stereotypes,epistemic injustice leads to the formation of thinking patterns,which leads to the decline of their epistemic function.Secondly,the lack of credibility between epistemic subjects will lead to epistemic injustice.Credibility is a necessary condition for cognitive subjects to reach testimony exchange.The criterion of credibility control who is chosen as a speaker,and will guide practice in finding rational authority when it is socially embodied in specific historical and cultural settings.Therefore,the lack of credibility will make epistemic injustice block the testimony exchange between subjects,and make the subjects are in an environment that cannot communicate,thus leading to the epistemic dysfunction between subjects.We should explore possible paths trend towards epistemic justice,so as to overcome the influence of epistemic injustice.The discussion of these paths mainly starts from the external environment,internal cultivation and conscious thinking.First,revise the external environment to promote the development of education and ensure equal opportunities for subjects to acquire knowledge.Secondly,enhance the internal cultivation of the subject,enhance the credibility of both the hearer and the speaker.Through application of authoritative knowledge,to enhance the credibility of the subject.Prompt the subject to correct the prejudice and realize the justice of testimony exchange.Finally,cultivate the consciousness of resistance,improve the epistemic vigilance of the subject,flexibly use reflective critical ability in cognitive activities,and eliminate the influence of epistemic injustice to the subject.Whether it is correcting prejudice: promoting educational development,enhancing credibility,or making flexible use of critical thinking,they are all feasible ways to seek epistemic justice.In reality: proposing the pathways to achieve cognitive justice still need to consider more factors and do more research and discussion.