Abstract

Stephen Turner identifies forms of epistemic coercion. My reply focuses on the source of experts’ power to epistemically coerce others. I identify one such source, which I call “The Epistemic Leviathan.” The Epistemic Leviathan is formed in a time of crisis, when some members of society grant experts the exclusive right to determine truths believing that only the experts can resolve the crisis. I suggest that we have seen this happen during the COVID-19 pandemic.