Discussion 4

Remember Felipe from the last discussion? Try to justify Felipe’s decision from a Kantian point of view. Is this possible? Why or why not?

Discussion 4 Answer

Felipe’s decision not to get vaccinated will not be supported by Kantian ethics. Kantian ethics has three elements; namely: 1) that a maxim must be universalized, 2) that people should not be treated merely as means, and 3) that people set their own moral rules based on the categorical imperative. In the present case, the maxim that Felipe may have given his situation is that he does not want to be vaccinated in order to protect himself from any risk that arises or may arise from the vaccine and to preserve his personal autonomy.