Asylum for refugees: the moral guidelines are clear. The rule, minimize harm, should dictate our decision that we help refugees where ever we can,
Also that we take every step feasible to limit carbon emissions. Climate sceptics appear to oppose practices that reduce human emissions, on the belief that the world is only passing through a warmer cycle. Most scientific evidence is against this viewpoint.
In short, this minimize harm rule is the rationale behind most social developments over history. It also sets the guidelines for most contentious moral issues today.
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Does then it apply to vaccinations? Are covid vaccinations successful? The answers are clearly yes The world wide web on health effectiveness says yes , health partners the same Even the Heritage Foundation which is an ultra-right think tank says yes.
It would seem that Mr. Ruddick and those that object to vaccinations do not have a leg to stand on. In fact, we could even accuse them of immorality.
One final thought: The Anti-federalists – those who objected to a strong central power were the instruments behind the establishment of the electoral college in the United States, This device gives power to the states rather than to a strong central government and was the reason why Donald Trump was elected despite the majority vote being for Hillary Clinton . As any examination of the Electoral College will tell you, it is not a democratic system. Using the anti-federalist arguments to object to Covid 19 vaccinations is very unsound thinking, Mr. Ruddick, it would appear, would not make a deep-thinking senator.
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About the Author
Peter Bowden is an author, researcher and ethicist. He was formerly Coordinator of the MBA Program at Monash University and Professor of Administrative Studies at Manchester University. He is currently a member of the Australian Business Ethics Network , working on business, institutional, and personal ethics.