PHIL 182 Study Guide - Final Guide: John Stuart Mill, Hippocratic Oath, Harm Principle
Document Summary
Explain three other justifications for a state interfering with individual liberty based on paternalism, moralism, and offense. Harm principle: the only reason to restrict liberty is prevent harm to others. Ambiguities: self-harm (and its effect on others), consent to harm, harm vs. offense (vague definitions) No constitutional right to die, state is allowed to pursue charges, state can prevent suicide so it can prevent this (positivism) Religious beliefs are protected, but actions in pursuit of those beliefs may not be (positivism) Moral right to die for your beliefs (natural law) Purpose of law is to protect the individual"s rights, not their life specifically (natural law) Utilitarian: interfering with someone"s liberty does not as a matter of fact guarantee. Autonomy: it is more to important to respect people"s autonomy than to protect them. Paternalism is justified when the harm is: Speech is just a form of expression, we"re not trying to protect the speech but what is being said.
