← See the axis · Moral demandingness
ArgumentThe harm principle
Morality demands little, but demands it firmly: do not harm others. As long as I wrong no one, my life is my own business.
Supports
Mill, Ruwen Ogien · · 1859
- A duty is what may legitimately be demanded of everyone, by blame or coercion if need be: its mark is that anyone may be reproached for failing it.
- Now all that can be demanded of everyone is the minimum without which common life is impossible: do not kill, steal, deceive, harm. Beyond that, each has the right to lead their life as they see fit, so long as they wrong no one.
- Doing good, devoting oneself, sacrificing oneself is admirable but cannot be owed: a morality that makes saintliness a duty turns every ordinary life into a fault, and gives anyone a title to police our own.
Therefore So morality confines itself to what can be demanded of all, not harming; the rest, help, generosity, sacrifice, belongs to the , not to duty.
How far does this reasoning convince you?
Not at all
Entirely
Put to the test
Objection