The Ethical Action
Receiving the COVID19 vaccine and booster as soon as one can receive it is an ethical action. I believe in science and that the COVID vaccines are safe and effective. My belief rests on scientific evidence and the anecdotal experiences of family and friends.
Instead of adding to the abundance of scientific, journalistic, and editorial information on COVID that floods you, my purpose is to lay out an ethical rationale for the vaccine. With so much disinformation on the internet, I want to be clear on where I stand.
There are three ethical rationales in getting the vaccine and booster as soon as one can. These choices represent three different schools of thought and appeal to diverse minds. I encourage you to read more and talk with me about your thoughts.
Universal Law and Duty: For those of you familiar with philosopher Immanuel Kant or issues posed on the TV show The Good Life, you will be familiar with ethical actions adhering to a Universal code. For most of you, this code is faith-based or lived experience. One's duty is to follow this code. I believe that by getting the vaccine I did my part to keep those around me safer, as not harming others is a Universal Law, to which I adhere.
Serving the Greater Good: for those of you familiar with Utilitarianism, the Vaccine provides the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Getting a shot provides three distinct benefits to others. First, it reduces the spread in the community. Second, it takes us closer to the point where the virus will be endemic. Third, it alleviates the strain on our neighbors in healthcare. The status of those at IU Health Bloomington hospital sick and diverting care from others are unvaccinated. So, if your outcome was utilitarian, it seems to me that you would take the vaccine.
Maximizing your Happiness: The different schools of thought of stoicism experiences a rebirth of popularity. You need only look at the philosophy section at Morgenstern Books to see the various titles. Whether you believe the absence of discomfort maximizes happiness. Or happiness is the acceptance of discomfort now so you fulfill your duty later; it seems that the vaccine would be the logical endpoint. Receiving the vaccine prevents you from a respiratory illness that ranges from discomfort to death. Avoiding this is ethical. Or maybe you see the vaccine as your duty, so feeling the jab now means that you help stop the spread for future variants. If happiness is interesting to you, I recommend Arthur Brooks either in his podcast or ratings for The Atlantic.
Vaccines are readily available and free throughout Indiana. Please go to ourshot.in.gov to schedule your vaccines and or booster; it is the ethical thing to do.
