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Discussion 3
Felipe is a high-school teacher. He doesn’t feel comfortable getting a COVID vaccination because he’s worried it might make him sick. He believes it should be a personal decision, and he’s tired of everyone pressuring him to get a shot. “You get a shot if you want one, but leave me alone!” he says to his friends, family, and students. Try to justify Felipe’s decision from a Utilitarian point of view. Is this possible? Why or why not?
Discussion 3 Answer
The decision of Felipe to not get vaccinated can still be justified using utilitarianism. This ethical theory posits that an act is morally right if it produces the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people. In the case of Felipe, if he gets vaccinated and becomes sick, his friends and students might think that vaccination would not be good for them and that inoculation is too risky.