I think using the phrase, “You can do whatever you want as long as you don’t harm anyone else,” is a good way to introduce someone to libertarianism. I’ve used it to sum up my worldview many times. It is a concise, socially acceptable concept.
But it is important, at least in my opinion, to remember that it’s not really true. Causing harm isn’t necessarily illegitimate in a libertarian utopia.
Think about sexual relationships. When person “A” is deeply in love with B, B can cause very real harm to A by sleeping with C. Or B can harm A by simply ending the relationship. But libertarians don’t support enslaving people to unwanted sexual partners.
So when is harm illegitimate? Answer: When it violates someone else’s property rights.
Since person A doesn’t own the body of person B, B is free to cease any and all interaction with A, even if person A is severely harmed by it.
The reason I bring this up is I’ve heard people say things like, “Smokers harm the rest of us because they demand more health care, thereby increasing prices. And don’t you libertarians say that people can’t harm each other?” But does a person own the price of healthcare services? No. So, while we may be harmed by smokers through higher prices, it would be illegitimate to seek compensation.
Another example is home values. All kinds of crazy laws have been passed to ensure that some homeowners don’t park old cars and boats in their front lawn, or don’t paint their home pink. Because if they did, they would harm their neighbors by decreasing home values. Again, since the plaintiffs don’t own how much someone else will pay for their home, the harm should be legal.
Some religious people are harmed when gay people get “married.” It drives some of them nuts. They can’t sleep at night, they become irritable, their personal lives fall apart, their businesses flounder, and their dogs might even run away…..all because they just can’t fathom the idea of man humpers enjoying their lives. Yes, gay marriage absolutely causes some people harm. But so what? Harm isn’t the real issue.
Anyways, I know these ideas aren’t new, but I thought they could stir up some interesting discussions….