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Hatton Lecturer in the Philosophy of Public Health, Department of History and Philosophy of Science
Dr Stephen John is a University Senior Lecturer in the Philosophy of Public Health at the Department of History and Philosophy of Science, University of Cambridge, and Director of Studies in Philosophy at Pembroke College.
His key philosophical interest is in understanding how the fundamental philosophical problem of the relationship between the ethical and the epistemological is, might and should be resolved in practical contexts.
His research so far has clustered around four concepts which are central to policy making, and which raise both epistemic and ethical puzzles: chance, certainty, categorisation and communication. To address these topics, he draws on a variety of philosophical sub-disciplines, including philosophy of science, political philosophy, applied ethics and social epistemology. He also engages with debates in public health and environmental policy over such topics as the prevention paradox, the precautionary principle, prenatal screening, alcohol policy, vaccination ethics, and climate change.