The foundation of Ogien's thought is the "harm principle," famously articulated by John Stuart Mill but refined by Ogien for a contemporary context. This principle suggests that the only legitimate reason for moral or legal interference in an individual's life is to prevent harm to others. For Ogien, "harm" must be concrete and objective. Vague notions of "moral offense," "sin," or "indecency" do not constitute harm.
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Instead, ethics should focus on a "minimal" set of rules that allow people with vastly different values to coexist. This involves: for everyone's interests. Neutrality regarding private lifestyles. The prioritisation of justice over virtue. Conclusion: A Tool for Freedom Download Ruwen Ogien philosophie morale epub
Ogien’s minimalism is deeply rooted in the liberal tradition of state neutrality. He argues that in a pluralistic society, it is impossible to reach a universal consensus on what constitutes a "good life." Therefore, the state and moral philosophy should not promote any specific conception of the good.
of minimalist ethics from "maximalist" perspectives. The foundation of Ogien's thought is the "harm
Ogien argues that the concept of a "duty to oneself" is a logical contradiction. A duty implies a relationship between two parties: one who owes and one who is owed. If the debtor and the creditor are the same person, the obligation becomes meaningless, as the individual can always grant themselves a "pardon" or exemption. By removing duties to oneself from the moral equation, Ogien liberates the private sphere from moral judgment, leaving it instead to the realm of personal preference and aesthetics. Neutrality and Pluralism
💡 : Ruwen Ogien defines "minimalist ethics" as a system based solely on the prevention of harm to others, effectively removing private behavior and "duties to oneself" from the realm of moral obligation. Vague notions of "moral offense," "sin," or "indecency"
The following essay explores the core tenets of Ogien's moral philosophy, focusing on his minimalist ethics and the principle of "harm to others." The Minimalism of Ruwen Ogien: Ethics Without Paternalism