between Ogien and other liberal thinkers like John Stuart Mill.
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
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. Download Ruwen Ogien philosophie morale epub
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
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 between Ogien and other liberal thinkers like John
Perhaps Ogien’s most controversial claim is the denial of "duties to oneself." Traditional ethics, from Kantianism to Aristotelian virtue ethics, often suggests we have a moral obligation to develop our talents, preserve our health, or maintain our dignity.
If you are looking for specific books to support your research, I can help you find: Neutrality regarding private lifestyles
Ruwen Ogien was a prominent French philosopher known for his "minimalist" approach to ethics, particularly detailed in works like L'Éthique aujourd'hui : Maximalistes et minimalistes (2007) and La philosophie morale (2004). His work challenges traditional moral frameworks by arguing for a sharp distinction between duties to oneself and duties to others.
