PHILOS 1B03 Lecture 12: Week 10: Lecture 1 (#12)
29 Mar 2017
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The sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection. That the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. (133) His own good, either physical or moral, is not sufficient warrant. (133) . Only prevention and/or redressing of harm to others provides sufficient warrant for interference/coercion by the state. Harm: to cause, or threaten to cause injury, damage, or loss to an individual in mind, body or property. Mill: if anyone does an act hurtful to others, there is a prima facie case for punishing him, by law, or, where legal penalties are not safely applicable, by general disapprobation. (133) An individual"s own private and personal beliefs and behavior falls outside the sphere of state control.
