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Lockdown and levelling down: why Savulescu and Cameron are mistaken about selective isolation of the elderly.

Hughes

Lockdown and levelling down: why Savulescu and Cameron are mistaken about selective isolation of the elderly. Thumbnail


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Abstract

In their recent article, 'Why lockdown of the elderly is not ageist and why levelling down equality is wrong', Savulescu and Cameron argue for selective isolation of the elderly as an alternative to general lockdown. An important part of their argument is the claim that the latter amounts to 'levelling down equality' and that this is 'unethical' or even 'morally repugnant'. This response argues that they fail to justify either part of this claim: the claim that levelling down is always morally wrong is subject to challenges that Savulescu and Cameron do not consider; and a policy of maintaining general lockdown does not constitute levelling down, as it provides absolute benefits to those who would be worse off under selective isolation.

Acceptance Date Aug 12, 2020
Publication Date Aug 26, 2020
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Journal of Medical Ethics
Print ISSN 0306-6800
Publisher BMJ Publishing Group
Pages 722-723
DOI https://doi.org/10.1136/medethics-2020-106776
Keywords public health ethics; public policy
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/medethics-2020-106776

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