If I don’t live in the US, did I still kill all those Americans? If I’m not an anti-vaxxer, am I still responsible?
Now back to Nietzsche since you sort of brought him up with your attempt to sound intelligent, but ended up butchering the quote…
From a Nietzschean lens, those who advocate for universal vaccine mandates might embody a certain embrace of the "herd instinct" Nietzsche so often critiqued. This group might place the collective health and well-being of society above individual autonomy, which Nietzsche could interpret as prioritizing societal conformity over personal will. To him, this could risk suppressing the individual’s ability to rise above mass morality and cultivate their own path.
That said, Nietzsche wasn’t necessarily an opponent of all collective action or rules, especially when they serve to challenge stagnation and foster progress. He might, ironically, appreciate the mandate proponents’ boldness in standing firm for their interpretation of justice. In their insistence on scientific and ethical imperatives for the greater good, they could be seen as attempting to transcend chaos and disorder, albeit through a highly structured, top-down approach.
But Nietzsche might still question whether mandating vaccines represents a true overcoming of humanity’s limitations—or simply a convenient way of maintaining order. He might provoke them to reflect: Are they imposing these rules as an act of authentic will to power, aiming for a healthier world? Or does this reflect fear—of disease, dissent, or the vulnerability of their worldview? Nietzsche would likely urge them to examine their motives deeply, as true strength lies in self-awareness and growth beyond fear.
The tension between individual freedom and collective responsibility is a challenging balance. Do you think Nietzsche would side with either perspective fully, or would he critique both as being stuck in their own versions of "herd morality"?