PHL271H1 Lecture Notes - Positive Liberty, Harm Principle, Negative Liberty
Document Summary
Idea is that: the role of the state is to keep us from harming each other . The actions of individuals should only be limited to prevent harm to other individuals. 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. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant. According to the school of thought a person can do whatever he wishes as long as he does not harm other individuals. In a democratic society where the people rule themselves, the problem is one of constraining the power of the majority. The idea is: that a person is sovereign (independent of the majority). In dictatorship the problem was that the ruler had total power and control over the majority. In democracy there is still a problem where now the majority controls the ruler and the independent person.
