View Full Version : Which philosopher developed the 'do no harm to another' approach on liberty?
JAStewart
23rd January 2010, 12:22 PM
Quick question.
Which philosopher popularized the "Liberty means to be able to do what you want so long as you do no harm to another human" belief? I have a feeling it's Mill but I can't find and explicit reference to it.
Cheers
Ichneumonwasp
23rd January 2010, 01:20 PM
Mill's essay "On Liberty" from what I recall. Here's a link to it. (http://www.constitution.org/jsm/liberty.txt)
Been a little while since I read it. 's pretty good as I recall.
JAStewart
23rd January 2010, 01:29 PM
Ah good, my gut feeling was right. I've found an audiobook of it so I think I'll grab that, iPod it and go for a looong walk :)
Thanks for the help.
Dancing David
24th January 2010, 04:55 AM
Gautama Shakyamuni?
;)
Towlie
24th January 2010, 06:00 AM
It was Ugg Ook of the Grunt Grunt tribe back in 4,000,000 B.C.
Robin
24th January 2010, 03:39 PM
It was Ugg Ook of the Grunt Grunt tribe back in 4,000,000 B.C.
Right before he was killed by a blow to the head by a club.
Robin
24th January 2010, 03:41 PM
I believe there is a similar rule from around the bronze age which says "do no harm to obedient, heterosexual Yahweh worshippers".
arthwollipot
24th January 2010, 03:44 PM
It is often misascribed to the Hippocratic Oath.
Soapy Sam
24th January 2010, 05:19 PM
Right before he was killed by a blow to the head by a club.Technically, I believe it was a putter.
Eyeron
24th January 2010, 05:54 PM
Aleister Crowley.
Robin
24th January 2010, 06:31 PM
Aleister Crowley.
No he didn't.
ripsaw_22
24th January 2010, 06:37 PM
yes, Ichneumonwasp is correct, it was John Stuart Mill, if I remember my philosophy A level correctly
arthwollipot
24th January 2010, 11:35 PM
No he didn't.Agreed. Crowley's schtick was "An it harm none, do as thou wilt."
Dancing David
25th January 2010, 05:00 AM
Agreed. Crowley's schtick was "An it harm none, do as thou wilt."
Sorry I beleive that was some dudde named Butler although I beleive Crowley wrote most teh Gardner's material.
Crowley's quote is "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law." I think it was from the book of Nu.
ETA:
Yup the BooK of Nuit
40. Who calls us Thelemites will do no wrong, if he look but close into the word. For there are therein Three Grades, the Hermit, and the Lover, and the man of Earth. Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
41. The word of Sin is Restriction. O man! refuse not thy wife, if she will! O lover, if thou wilt, depart! There is no bond that can unite the divided but love: all else is a curse. Accursed! Accursed be it to the aeons! Hell.
42. Let it be that state of manyhood bound and loathing. So with thy all; thou hast no right but to do thy will.
43. Do that, and no other shall say nay.
44. For pure will, unassuaged of purpose, delivered from the lust of result, is every way perfect.
But given the nature of humans I am sure many have said it before Uncle Al took it.
arthwollipot
25th January 2010, 05:14 AM
Well there you go. Still doesn't help the OP.
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