Epistemic Justice and Who Counts in Inequality Debates

Zera Yacob insisted that reason transcends social position—any human being, through careful thought, can perceive truth. Yet inequality debates often silence voices of those experiencing poverty while privileging economists or policy makers. Epistemic justice asks: whose testimony about inequality conditions counts as knowledge? Whose data is trusted? Yacob's philosophy demands that societies listen to reasoned analysis from all participants, especially those with direct experience of inequality's effects. This reframes inequality data collection itself: are poor communities treated as data subjects (studied) or epistemic agents (whose understanding is consulted)? Yacob's Ethiopian wisdom valued diverse perspectives unified by commitment to reason and dignity. Applied here, it means inequality debates gain credibility and accuracy by including voices systematically excluded, recognizing that those experiencing inequality often perceive its causes and solutions most clearly through rigorous reflection.