The Good Stuff with Henry Fraser

In today's episode I talk to professor of philosophy, Dr J.P. Messina. We talk about philosophy's usefulness for understanding and assessing norms and decisions, especially in times of crisis. The launching point for the conversation was a discussion of how Immanuel Kant's moral philosophy could help us to respond to government messaging around Covid-19 and isolation. Early in the pandemic, NZ Prime Minister, Jacinta Ardern told New Zealnders to "Act as if you have Covid-19". Other leaders, including Boris Johnson, took up this formula. It was undoubtedly an effective piece of political communciation. But how does it measure up as a categorial rule for conduct?