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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Sado" data-source="post: 1659742" data-attributes="member: 20589">John Stuart Mill came up with the Harm Principle:"...the sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection. That the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilised community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not sufficient warrant. He cannot rightfully be compelled to do or forbear because it will be better for him to do so, because it will make him happier, because, in the opinion of others, to do so would be wise, or even right...The only part of the conduct of anyone, for which he is amenable to society, is that which concerns others. In the part which merely concerns himself, his independence is, of right, absolute. Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign."Another way to put it is to say that evil is the initiation of harm (through force or fraud) against others.  You can defend yourself, but you can't hurt other people except when they threaten your own rights (life, liberty, etc...). To do so would be an evil act.You don't even have to wait for the other guy to hit you. If he has his fist raised at you, you are allowed to hit him first. A credible, imminent threat of force is the same as force.</blockquote>