Question
Which of the following policies would best align with John Stuart Mill's harm principle Detention without charges during a political crisis Censorship of all critical media during wartime Requiring mask -wearing in public spaces to limit disease spread Banning dissenting opinions to avoid unrest
Solution
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CarolineMaster · Tutor for 5 years
Answer
The policy that best aligns with John Stuart Mill's harm principle is **requiring mask-wearing in public spaces to limit disease spread.**<br /><br />Mill's harm principle states that the only justification for limiting individual liberty is to prevent harm to others. Wearing masks in public spaces, especially during a pandemic, directly aims to limit the spread of disease and thus prevent harm to others. It doesn't restrict speech or other fundamental liberties, but rather focuses on a specific action that can cause direct physical harm.<br /><br />The other options violate the harm principle:<br /><br />* **Detention without charges during a political crisis:** This infringes upon individual liberty without evidence of harm caused to others.<br />* **Censorship of all critical media during wartime:** This suppresses free speech, which Mill considered crucial for individual development and societal progress, even if the government believes it could lead to unrest. The harm in this case is speculative and not direct.<br />* **Banning dissenting opinions to avoid unrest:** Similar to censorship, this suppresses free speech and the open exchange of ideas. Preventing unrest is not a sufficient justification for limiting individual liberty unless the dissenting opinions directly incite violence or harm to others.<br />
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