Mills Principle of Harm

Mill’s principle of harm.

The principle is: mankind can interfere with the liberty of fellow mankind if it is in self-protection. The only time power can be used over another against that other’s will is to prevent harm to others. One’s own wants, either physical or moral, are not sufficient justification to interfere with power. It is only when protecting others, and has no justification, if it is spawned by concerns over ones self.

One object of the harm principle is to help find out when and if it is fair to interfere with the liberty of fellow mankind. A further object of the principle of harm is to decide what helps to build a stronger, better, more self preserving community.