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 When does an individual’s liberty not infringe upon another’s? (9)

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Coldfire(1014) pic



When does an individual’s liberty not infringe upon another’s?

I am an advocate of the idea that a person should be free to do as they please as long as their actions do not encroach upon another person freedom. Recently however, upon further examination I am beginning to see a fundamental flaw in this often parroted line of reasoning.

 

It’s easy to distance ourselves from responsibility when we separate ourselves from the whole of the species and claim individuality, but unless we all live alone in isolated locations; our actions/ inactions will end up affecting others.

 

At what point are we to accept the fact that our actions or inactions ultimately end up encroaching upon other peoples freedoms on a macro level no matter what we do or don’t do?

 

When is it justified to ratify regulations that restrict individual liberties in this light?

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1 point

If we can directly measure how much an action affects someone else we can consider it as infringing and can consider regulations.

I as we'll share your thoughts on this subject, I have asked my self this same thing. And what it comes down to is this: we have what we call basic rights, to have child get married and some states are allowing for gay marriage. I try to focus on the certain rights that most of us take for granted and that others have lived with out. Aka gay marriage, I myself an not gay, not that it matters, but I do see the need for people to be allowed this right, and if they decide to have children they should be protected under the same laws that straight people are. I ask myself will there choice to live with these rights effect me? NO. Will the kids grow up damaged because they have two dads or two moms?! NO or least not any more damaged than those who grow up In a straight house hold filled with divorce ect.. As for other rights or freedoms most of them that do hurt others are already outlawed. Not that a law keeps people from doing it, my thoughts are that there are always going to be people out there who thinks of only themselves and will always go about as if he or she is hurting no one.. More laws and regulations will only make for more people in prison. Also some people do things just because they are told they can't. You can date someone for 20 years and not one of them strayed once, but once they take that plunge so many people will stray. We always want what we can not have. So the more they take away, the more we want. Realizing this is important because we then know why we do things and it can help keep people from doing harm. Or I hope it does. Anyways good debate, I enjoy ones like this. It makes people think outside there box😜😄

1 point

In most cases it's not too difficult to determine if a given action hinders the rights or freedoms of others. Some areas that may need to be legally specified would be actions that cause noise, light, or environmental pollution that reach beyond ones property.

Coldfire(1014) Clarified
1 point

Some areas that may need to be legally specified would be actions that cause noise, light, or environmental pollution that reach beyond ones property.

The latter of these has recently been the topic of some heated disputes where I work. How do you convince a person that pollution exists and should warrant regulation when they vehemently deny any evidence of pollution while it’s staring them in the face? Or they accept the evidence but start whooping and hollering the moment you mention the possibility of regulations being necessary.

Amarel(5669) Clarified
1 point

Of pollution is damaging another's private property, they should be able to sue. Given a lawsuit may be appropriate for private property, regulation for public property would also be appropriate. If the person can't understand that, be glad they aren't a legislator (unless they are :/)

People have the right to do what they want as long as they are not hurting anyone. If they hurt someone, they forfeit their rights. A rapist loses their right to freedom when they commit the act for example.