Freedom of Choice Issues - Essay Example

It is worth noting that harm does not necessarily occur when it is directed to another person. Although individual action may not inflict immediate physical or emotional harm to other people, the consequences on the actor will eventually be reflected in the societal structure. Self-harm in itself should not be tolerated because the victim will eventually be a liability to members of the community (Kamm, 460). Society has a moral responsibility to ensure that the actions of individuals are within the confines of the accepted norms and this includes the prohibition of self-harm. It is therefore imperative that individual actions must be scrutinized in terms of the effect irrespective of the victims. This explains why attempts to commit suicide among other actions attract serious punishment although it involves taking out one’s life voluntarily. It is therefore not acceptable to justify a given action on the reason that it does not harm another person.