LWSO 413 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Victimless Crime, On Liberty, Harm Principle
17 Oct 2016
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Harm principle, domain of liberty interests/rights/duties, moral/legal implications. Mill recognized danger of government power over individuals. Worse than government, not regulated in any way - more penetrating than government control. Punishment is warranted and legitimate when in self-protection of society, preventing harm to others. Only directly affect the individual who does the action. "true" ideas are only valid when constantly questioned, once accepted and. Creating "living truth" vs. dead dogma that"s dangerous. Shouldn"t assume that society knows what"s best for indvidual. Right to associate without coercion, construct own "life plan" Greater good is realized through allowing individuals to thrive as long as actions do not harm others. If action harms other, law can punish the action. Harm is a necesscary but not sufficient condition for limiting liberty. E. g forcing everyone to run 30min every day. Not ok: if it"s out of concern for an individual"s health, not within the scope of the state.
