Individual Freedom in the UK
Lazy Trout Meerbrook 7-30pm for 7-45pm Monday May 4th 2009
1. James Stuart Mill On Liberty, 1859 -The harm principle holds that each individual has the right to act as he wants, so long as these actions do not harm others. If the action is self-regarding, that is, if it only directly affects the person undertaking the action, then society has no right to intervene, even if it feels the actor is harming himself.
What do we think of this?
2. He does argue, however, that individuals are prevented from doing lasting, serious harm to themselves or their property by the harm principle. Because no-one exists in isolation, harm done to oneself also harms others, and destroying property deprives the community as well as oneself.
So?
3.Mill excuses those who are "incapable of self-government" from this principle, such as young children or those living in "backward states of society". Mill argues that despotism is an acceptable form of government for those societies that are "backward", as long as the despot has the best interests of the people at heart, because of the barriers to spontaneous progress.
Ah then.....
4.Though this principle seems clear, there are a number of complications. For example, Mill explicitly states that "harms" may include acts of omission as well as acts of commission. Thus, failing to rescue a drowning child counts as a harmful act, as does failing to pay taxes, or failing to appear as a witness in court. All such harmful omissions may be regulated, according to Mill.
By contrast, it does not count as harming someone if — without force or fraud — the affected individual consents to assume the risk: thus one may permissibly offer unsafe employment to others, provided there is no deception involved.
Right well ...
5.The harm principle is about the right to be left alone. How does the right to work and the right to healthcare differ from the right to be left alone?
Is absolute freedom possible?
Perhaps using the harm principle what are our views on:
6. - the principle of trial by jury;
- detention without trial (increasing the length of detention);
- ID cards (according to latest Govt. information, 55% of the electorate in favour);
- every car journey by motorway, through city and urban centres, recorded and retained for two years;
- plans to retain data from every phone call, e-mail and internet connection?
7. In what ways will the financial crisis affect liberties?
- How important is the right to work?
8. How far do political rights and freedoms extend?
- Consider animal rights activities; Greenpeace; the Countryside Alliance; the BNP…
9. Are there developments, like Health and Safety, which - though seemingly neutral and useful - threaten liberties?