Political Science 1020E Lecture Notes - Lecture 66: Atomism, Wilhelm Von Humboldt, John Stuart Mill
17 Dec 2017
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Harm principle: ppl do whatever they want as long as they are not hurting anyone. The action in question harms interests that ought to be considered as rights. Not all interests should be considered as rights. Interest not to have religion trashed not right. Which rights do we have? (which interests should be protected by rights) Rights protect interests that are sufficiently important to put others. Mill on why we have rights under a duty. Choose the system of rights that maximizes utility or happiness. This approach (mill thinks) can justify a set of rights to liberty, security, and property. If prone to make mistakes, why not intervene. J. f. stephen (mills opposition): liberty is like fire. A utilitarian theory of rights need not to be a liberal theory. The permanent interests of man as a progressive being. This idea is crucial for understanding mill"s utilitarian liberal position. Individuals generally know best what will make them happy.
