A Philosophical Approach to Claims about Vaccinations and Autism

Oxford Round Table. 406 West Florida Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801. Tel: 217-344-0237; Fax: 217-344-6963; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: http://forumonpublicpolicy.com/journals-2/online-journals/

Y

22

Immunization Programs; Autism; Misconceptions; Correlation; Child Health; Public Health; Incidence; Preventive Medicine; Disease Control; Communicable Diseases; Etiology; Beliefs; Critical Thinking; Scientific Concepts; Science Teachers; Science Instruction; Controversial Issues (Course Content)

1938-9809

By highlighting the critical thinking that (1) analyzes and evaluates arguments for claims about vaccinations and autism, and (2) engages in a form of methodological skepticism that systematically and continuously asks Critical Questions, a philosophical approach is introduced to deal directly and systematically with students' (and publicly popular) misconceptions of (and resistance to) bio-medical knowledge, interventions, and/or technology employed in healthcare or public health. As a result of engaging in a dialogue between philosophy and the bio-medical sciences by means of critical thinking, the educator can help students actively compare their initial conceptions (and publicly popular misconceptions) with more fully scientific conceptions.

As Provided

2017

EJ1173576