Have epidemiological models of the Covid-19 pandemic been a failure, as some epidemiologists and philosophers have argued? Have policy makers violated their epistemic duty during the pandemic by acting on deeply uncertain evidence? In this talk I examine the epistemic status of epidemiological models and possible roles they can play in scientific policy advice in situations characterized by missing data and poorly constrained parameter-values. I will argue that some criticisms levied against models presuppose an overly narrow conception of possible uses of models. But I will also discuss several possible pitfalls in using models for policy advice to which some of the criticisms have drawn attention.

Coffee, tea, cakes and fruit will be served before the colloquium @ 2 pm