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What would Locke say about government mandated COVID vaccinations?, The…
What would Locke say about government mandated COVID vaccinations?
Government Control
Locke believed that becuase the people created the government, the governemnt should serve the people and have a duty to protect while not infringing on their rights.
Because of Locke's stance on government control, he would be agains the idea of the government being able to force a vaccination on its people.
This is becuase it goes against Locke's idea of a true government. The power of the governemnt comes from the people, and becuase of this the government should not be able to control what the people do
Locke believed that the purpose of a government is to protect and promote life, liberty, and property for it's people.
The fact that the government is forcing all people to get the vaccination goes against the idea of protecting freedom and liberty for all.
If someone decides not to get the vaccine, they effectively lose all conection to their society and lose everything. They can not work, so they can not provide for themselves or their families. This fact that it is either do what the government says or perish, goes against Locke's idea of what government should be.
Locke belived that governments should be limited in their powers.
Rights and Freedoms
Personal Rights
Locke believed that all people have the same inalienable rights from birth; natural rights.
Collective Rights
Locke believed that all people had natural rights. He did not think different groups should have their own rights seprate from personal rights
Natural Rights
There are 3 inalienable rights that Locke believed all humans have.
Liberty
2/3 Rights that all people have. Locke believed that all people have the right to liberty and freedom.
The fact that the government is forcing people to get a vaccine that they may not want, violates their right to liberty
Locke would say that no one has the power to control the freedom of another person.
Property
3/3 Rights that all people have. Locke believed that all people have the right to private property and control of it.
In this case, vaccine mandates have little to do with property rights. It still should be known that this is one of his three fundamental human rights.
Life
1/3 Rights that all people have. Locke believed that all people have the right to preserve their own life above all.
The COVID-19 vaccine has lots of opposition on its safety and efficiency.
An argument can be made that it is unsafe to get the vaccine based on personal worry or medical conditions
Locke would say that a vaccine that has any risk can not be forced onto people due to the presence of even a 1% risk. It goes against a person's right to life.
People have a right to resist anything that has the potential to threaten the safety or life of another person.
Natural Law
Locke believed that if the natural rights of the people are broken, they are justified in overthrowing and revolting against their oppressors
In the case of mandated vaccines, Locke would call for a revolt against the government due to them breaking natural rights of the people
Natural Law dictates what happens when Natural Rights are broken.
Because Natural Rights were violated, Locke would say that the people need to use Natural Law
The Social Contract
In Locke's world the "social contract" was the idea that listening to the government is conditional.
The social contract acted as a bridge between the people and the government
Due to the fact that the government is basically forcing the people to get this vaccine, it violates multiple of the natural rights
Locke would say that because of the violation, the people have the right and should revolt against the government
Even if the government is not explicitly forcing people to get vaccinated, the restrictions and segregation it imposes can be seen as the government controling the people; for better or for worse.
Greater Good
Personal Safety
As one of the natural laws, Locke would prioritize personal safey in this situation
In the case of COVID vaccines, the greater good for humanity is to be vaccinated
Because of the fact that the COVID virus theoretically poses no threat to an individual, Locke would say that mass vaccinations go against personal safety.
The fact that the vaccine was precived by some as dangerous and causing health issues is enough for Locke to be against them entirely
Public Safety
Locke would belive that everyone has the indiviual right to safety. He did not believe in a "greater good" for all people.
The Government
Social Contract
The People
Gives power
Protects rights
Government