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Harm Principle

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By Michael Alan Prestwood

Sun 9 Jun 2024
Published 2 years ago.
Updated 4 months ago.
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“Causing no harm” is an aspiration, not a fantasy. Life brings tradeoffs. Even good choices can carry costs. The ethical person does not pretend harm never happens; they notice it, reduce it, justify it when necessary, and stay willing to recalibrate.

Harm Principle

Cause no harm.
In "On Liberty," pub. 1859.

30 Phil, Chapter 29, Mill, Touchstone 74: Harm Principle.

You’re free to do what you want, as long as you don’t harm others. It delineates between self-regarding and other-regarding actions as a basis for when societal intervention is justified. Self-regarding actions are those that primarily affect the individual who undertakes them. Other-regarding actions have broader social consequences, impacting others. 

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Michael Alan Prestwood
Author & Natural Philosopher
Prestwood writes on science-first philosophy, with particular attention to the convergence of disciplines. Drawing on his TST Framework, his work emphasizes rational inquiry grounded in empirical observation while engaging questions at the edges of established knowledge. With TouchstoneTruth positioned as a living touchstone, this work aims to contribute reliable, evolving analysis in an emerging AI era where the credibility of information is increasingly contested.
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