Skip to content
Carmelics
TopicsThinkersChangesContributorsLoading account…

    Carmelics

    A reasoning platform. Break down any belief into clear reasons, explore both sides, and weigh the evidence honestly.

    Navigate

    • Topics
    • Search
    • Recent Changes
    • Contribute
    • How It Works
    • Glossary
    • Thinkers
    • Contributors
    • About
    • Statistics
    • Terms
    • Privacy

    Database

    Statements
    —
    Perspectives
    —
    Topics
    —

    Press ? for keyboard shortcuts

    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
    108,905
    Topics
    42
    Mill's harm principle holds that government legitimately ... — Carmelics
    Home
    HistoryEditSee Inverse

    Part of a larger discussion

    Challenges→No government allows absolute liberty.

    Mill's harm principle holds that government legitimately restricts only liberty that harms others, leaving a sovereign domain of absolute self-regarding freedom.

    ?Rate how convincing each reason is below to see the overall strength.
    1 reason for
    1 reason against

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • 1.Individual autonomy is intrinsically valuable and governments lack moral authority to dictate purely self-regarding choices.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Harm principle provides an objective, legally administrable standard that prevents arbitrary paternalistic state overreach.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Historical evidence shows paternalistic restrictions on self-regarding conduct (e.g., drug use, sexuality) cause more social harm than benefit.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.The harm/self-regarding distinction is incoherent: individual choices have ripple effects on family, economy, and collective welfare.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Pure autonomy without regard for consequences ignores that humans are interdependent; isolation sufficient to be purely self-regarding is mythical.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Some harms (e.g., self-destruction, incompetence from poor choices) justify mild intervention even absent external harm.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Sign in or register to share your perspective on this statement.

    Next step

    Based on where you are in your exploration

    Strongest counterpoint
    Explore the most compelling reason on the other side.

    Connections

    2 topics

    Democracy & Governance1 linkedRights & Liberty1 linked

    Related

    Harm principle provides an objective, legally administrable standard that preven...Historical evidence shows paternalistic restrictions on self-regarding conduct (...Individual autonomy is intrinsically valuable and governments lack moral authori...No government allows absolute liberty.
    +3 moreShow less
    Pure autonomy without regard for consequences ignores that humans are interdepen...Some harms (e.g., self-destruction, incompetence from poor choices) justify mild...The harm/self-regarding distinction is incoherent: individual choices have rippl...

    Details

    Type
    claim
    Perspectives
    2 (1 for, 1 against)
    Edits
    1 edit