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QLDPhilosophy and ReasonQuick questions
Unit 4: Social and political philosophy
Quick questions on Liberty and Mill's harm principle: QCE Philosophy and Reason
5short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is mill's harm principle?Show answer
In On Liberty, Mill defends one "very simple principle": the only purpose for which power can rightfully be exercised over any member of a civilised community, against their will, is to prevent harm to others. A person's own good, physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant. This is the harm principle.
What is freedom of expression?Show answer
Mill makes a famous case for near-absolute freedom of speech. Silencing an opinion robs humanity: if the opinion is true, we lose a chance to exchange error for truth; if false, we lose the clearer perception of truth produced by its collision with error; and even partly true views contribute. This argument remains central to debates on censorship.
What is q1?Show answer
State Mill's harm principle and explain the self-regarding versus other-regarding distinction. [4 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Explain Berlin's distinction between negative and positive liberty. [3 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
Give one objection to the harm principle. [2 marks]
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