1. No interference
1.1. Justified when?
1.1.1. Mill's Harm Principle: As long as harm is not caused to others. Harm is defined as something that will harm us physically or serve as a stumbling block in our mental or emotional development.
1.1.1.1. Individuals are the best judge of their own interests, so we should respect their decisions, even if we may disagree (in contrast to paternalism).
1.1.1.2. Making decisions for oneself, for good or for bad, is part of growth.
1.1.1.3. Everyone has the liberty to do what he or she wants as long as he or she doesn't affect others negatively/impinge upon others' liberty.
1.1.1.4. Not everything can be considered as harm
1.1.1.4.1. e.g. an individual should not be prevented from having a job just because there are many other job applicants who want the job at the same time
1.1.1.4.2. e.g. The liberty of couples to have PDA should not be restricted as they are not causing harm to anyone. People may be offended, but offence may not mean harm.
1.1.1.4.3. what are some examples of "offence" that is not classified as harm?
1.1.2. examples
1.1.2.1. e.g. Abigail can choose not to wear her seatbelt as it is only her life that is endangered, and her death will not cause the sadness of any loved ones as she does not have any.
1.1.2.2. e.g. Thomas should be allowed to have the eclair because Jermaine will not be harmed if he takes it.
2. Interference
2.1. Paternalism: When children, mentally or physically disabled/unstable, misinformed people decide to harm themselves.
2.1.1. It is morally right to promote the well-being of others. If someone decides to harm himself when he is not in the right state of mind, we assume that he has not thought through his decision and will come to regret it, so it is our duty to stop them.
2.1.2. examples
2.1.2.1. e.g. Abigail is misinformed about the importance of wearing a seatbelt, it is the duty of the city council to protect her by forcing her to put on her seatbelt, if not pay a million dollar fine
2.1.2.2. in a recent news article, medical authorities were allowed to break-in to a home, sedate and forcibly sterilize of a mentally handicapped mother of six was allowed as any further pregnancies would be likely to kill her
2.2. Justified when?
2.2.1. Mill: Harm is caused to others, or when there is a definite risk of harm being caused
2.2.1.1. Chaos will ensue if people were allowed to harm others as they pleased.
2.2.1.2. examples
2.2.1.2.1. e.g. Connie will be attacked by the gang should Danny tell the gang what Connie said
2.2.1.2.2. e.g. Eliza's gambling addiction should be interfered with because she will be unable to care for her parents (i.e. her parents are harmed) should she continue
2.2.1.2.3. e.g. Frank's colleagues should be prevented from making sexist jokes as they are harming him psychologically