Structural epistemic remedy

This paper establishes a structural approach to epistemic reparation, thereby establishing a concept of structural epistemic remedy. I achieve this by employing the structural injustice approach, which identifies unjust or objectionable social structures that enable various types of injustices at a collective level and, importantly, articulates suitable remedies for these unjust and objectionable social structures. The paper proceeds as follows. First, I will establish an intergenerational rights-based approach to epistemic reparation. While doing so, I will identify a gap in the rights-based approach, resulting in a defense of an alternative structural injustice approach. I argue that the rights-based approach and structural injustice approach combined will result in a more complete epistemic justice after wrongdoing. Second, I articulate the structural injustice approach, thereby establishing a concept of structural epistemic remedy. I demonstrate that a successful implementation of epistemic remedy necessitates the acquisition of specific knowledge. I identify three types of knowledge that are required for a genuine structural remedy: One must know (1) which social structures require remedy, (2) how those social structures should be changed, and (3) whether additional reparations must be paid beyond structural remedies. Finally, I will argue that individuals may have distinct types of responsibility, what I call the structural-epistemic responsibility, for obtaining this knowledge for epistemic remedy.