- Published: December 21, 2021
- Updated: December 21, 2021
- University / College: Stanford University
- Level: Masters
- Language: English
- Downloads: 12
Impact on others Freedom of choice has always been an integral part of humanity. However, this concept is always over d by people leading to counterproductive outcomes that affect the society in one way or another. It is important to note that unless limits are imposed on what people can do, the outcome would significantly be felt by others. The desire of every person has been to be given freedom to do anything they so wish. The general notion of most people is that as long as ones action does not harm someone else, there is no problem taking up the action. Critical evaluation of the social connection of humanity demystifies this idea of absolute freedom as no man is an Island. The point is that the individual action must translate to some effect in the society from any perspective (Kamm 460). The question has always been what qualifies to be termed as harm.
It is worth to note that harm does not necessarily occur when it is directed to another person. Although individual action may not inflict immediate physical or emotional harm to other people, the consequences on the actor will eventually be reflected in societal structure. Self-harm in itself should not be tolerated because the victim will eventually be a liability to members of the community (Kamm 460). The society has moral responsibility to ensure that actions of individuals are within the confines of the accepted norms and this includes prohibition of self-harm. It is therefore imperative that individual actions must be scrutinized in terms of the effect irrespective of the victims. This explains why attempts to commit suicide among other actions attract serious punishment although it involves taking out one’s life voluntarily. It is therefore not acceptable for to justify a given action on the reason that it does not harm another person.
Work cited
Kamm, F M. Intricate Ethics: Rights, Responsibilities, and Permissible Harm. Oxford: Oxford University Press, USA, 2006. Internet resource.