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The harm principle is one of the concepts discussed by John Stuart Mill in his essay On Liberty. The essay addresses the issue of power and authority about society as well as individuals. It explores and discusses the limits of the power that society can exert on an individual to control their actions and behavior. One of the concepts explored in the literature is the harm’s principle.
According to the principle, people should have the freedom to act and behave in ways that please them as long as they do not hurt others (Mill 10). This implies that if an action affects only the individual who is undertaking it, then society should not get involved, even if the individual harms himself or herself.
However, Mills argues that it is wrong for individuals to harm themselves or their property, as stated in principle. He further argues that certain actions harm people indirectly, even when the individual who is undertaking them gets hurt directly.
This argument is developed out of the idea that no human being can live alone without depending on others (Mill 10). Any action that causes harm to an individual can do the same to others in a direct or indirect manner. Also, he argues that destroying property affects everyone in society, albeit in different degrees. The harm principle encourages freedom of speech and individual liberty (Mill 11).
According to Mills, political leaders should have minimal authority over the people as a show of respect to their liberty of thought and action. The principle is largely based on negative freedom. According to Mills, self-protection is the most important objective of society. The only time that society or governments can exercise authority over people is when they harm others through their actions.
Mill maintains that the principle exempts individuals below the age from what any society or country considers right for an adult (Mill 13). The harm principle relates closely to utilitarianism. According to utilitarianism, the aim of any action should be to maximize pleasure and avoid pain.
Therefore, harming others violates the precepts of utilitarianism. In today’s society, the influence of the harm principle is evident from the existence of a criminal justice system. Prisons and correctional facilities were created to confine people who harm others through their actions.
The harm’s principle is plausible because it advocates for equality in society, individual liberty, freedom of speech, and happiness. Also, it promotes the creation of an altruistic society, which encourages people to take care of one another. The principle poses several challenges and obstacles to the maintenance of morality in society. For instance, the principle does not apply appropriately about prostitution and suicide.
The harm principle does not highlight the unethical elements of these activities as long as they do not harm other people. Society has rules and moral principles that every individual should follow. The principle poses threats to societal preservation. Indecent dressing is unacceptable in certain societies.
Such an action does not cause harm to others. Thus it is acceptable under the harm principle. However, such acts are unacceptable because they encourage immorality and apply offensively. The harm principle conflicts with societal morals and ethics.
On the other hand, the principle does not solve the puzzle of societal intervention in cases where the actions of an individual harm others indirectly. For instance, the situation where people gamble and lose their money in casinos is not discussed. These people lose their means of supporting their families, thus hurting them.
However, it is not clear whether the owner of the casino or the individual who gambles his or her money away should be punished. The precepts of the principle seem easy and right to implement. However, they sometimes conflict with societal norms and morals.
Works Cited
Mill, John. On Liberty and Other Essays. New York: Digireads.com Publishing, 2010. Print.
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