Virtue, Intervention and Individual Liberty
Author: Kuo-Hsien Hsu
Abstract / Chinese PDF Download
Moral or virtuous citizens are by far the most valuable assets of a state, ancientand modern alike. Without them, even well-intentioned and well-designedinstitutions will stop functioning and operating effectively. To differing extents,modern states invariably depend on the enforcement of law to achieve the goal ofmaking men moral and thus improving social stability. That is to say, like it or not,legal moralism of variant degrees and scopes has become a common practice incontemporary societies. This article tries to elucidate the proper limits of stateinterference in moral affairs and to clarify its nature in different spheres of life.Making men moral is a worthwhile aim, but it cannot override individual liberty,which makes morality truly meaningful.