Attempting to Define Harm In Harm Principle
Defining what qualifies as harm is not easy. According to Mill, winning a promotion does not harm others because no one has a right to it.
- Harm, as per Mill, means unjustly setting back individuals’ rights.
- Harmful speech includes inciting violence but not merely hurting feelings.
- Recent discussions question if certain speech can be as harmful as physical attacks.
- Mill’s harm principle applies to those capable of responsibly exercising freedom.
- It is acceptable to be paternalistic towards children but not towards fully autonomous adults.
- Criticism is directed at Mill’s views on paternalism towards non-Europeans in British colonies.
Harm Principle| Class 11 Polity Notes
The harm principle is generally explained as “your right to swing your fist ends where my nose begins.” In other words, people should be free to act as they wish as long as their actions do not cause harm to others. The harm principle is central to the political philosophy of liberalism. It values individual rights and the personal liberty of the citizens. According to philosopher John Stuart Mill, “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.”
In this article, we are going to discuss the Harm Principle in detail.