Cognitive and ethical reasons for the dissident movement in epidemiology

The article discusses several fundamental reasons for the emergence of such a significant phenomenon as the anti-vaccination movement. An attempt is made to classify the causes thereof. The theory of the phases of the vaccination cycle by Robert Chen is presented herein. A concept of cognitive simplicity and design of illusory patterns to strengthen psychological control over a stressful situation was developed by the Moscow anthropologist Alexandra Arkhipova. The decision to refuse vaccination is often accompanied by an inability to properly rank associated risks and distrust of science. The level of distrust by citizens in the government and healthcare system activity, and, conversely, excessive trust in some populist personalities, is also an important reason for the dissent in epidemiology. This article provides numerous examples from the history of smallpox, cholera and coronavirus epidemics. In conclusion, the article considers the problem of the trust and mutual responsibility in a society.