Political Philosophy

Question 1

Harm principle

Answer 1

people should be free to act however they wish unless their actions cause harm to somebody else - John Stuart Mill

Question 2

Liberalism

Answer 2

the view that a state and its laws are just insofar as they effectively protect the rights of its citizens

Question 3

Perfectionism

Answer 3

the view that the purpose of the state is to advance some a particular idea of what is good (e.g. a religion)

Question 4

are liberals in support or opposed to perfectionism?

Answer 4

Liberals are opposed to perfectionism

Question 5

Paternalism

Answer 5

“the state may legitimately intervene in your life to help you live “better” by the lights of the community”
(perfectionist standpoint)

Question 6

Freedom of expression

Answer 6

Free speech is a bedrock value in liberal states, embedded in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and protected as a “fundamental freedom” in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Question 7

hate speech

Answer 7

it advocates for views of superiority of one group of citizens over others and encourages people to hatred of the allegedly inferior group. For these reasons it may be important to ban hate speech in order to uphold democratic equality.