What question did this study set out to answer?

This article aims to clarify the concept of harm and address its various interpretations within moral philosophy.

January 20, 2026Philosophy Compass0 citations

What Harm Means

Key Points

This article aims to clarify the concept of harm and address its various interpretations within moral philosophy.
Analyzes existing literature on the concept of harm.
Identifies main theoretical choice-points in discussions about harm.
Provides reflections on the implications of differing definitions of harm.
Presents a diverse range of definitions and interpretations of harm.
Identifies key disagreements among theorists regarding the notion of harm.
Encourages further discourse on the topic and its applications in moral contexts.

Abstract

ABSTRACT The concept of ‘harm’ plays a significant role in our normative thought. However, there are significant disagreements about what counts as harm. This article sets out broadly the conceptual landscape of harm, highlighting the main theoretical choice‐points along the way and concludes with some brief reflections on the topic.

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