And before anyone mentions - Yes I realise that "harmless" could be conceived as a kind of ground rule, but it's intended here more as a clarification rather than an infringement of liberty. I favour John Stuart Mill’s idea that people should be free to do anything so long as it causes no harm to others. Admittedly, he didn't distinguish how the issue of "causing offence" should be taken into consideration. Indeed, he argued that it isn’t a harm, since people take offence at all kinds of things (ie: Ground Rules!).
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Artist and lecturer interested in contemporary art practice and teaching.
Most of these blog entries have been provoked by discussions with friends, colleagues and students.
Thanks especially to Peter McCaughey for encouraging me to start this blog and Lesley Punton, without whom I would never have continued.
And before anyone mentions - Yes I realise that "harmless" could be conceived as a kind of ground rule, but it's intended here more as a clarification rather than an infringement of liberty. I favour John Stuart Mill’s idea that people should be free to do anything so long as it causes no harm to others. Admittedly, he didn't distinguish how the issue of "causing offence" should be taken into consideration. Indeed, he argued that it isn’t a harm, since people take offence at all kinds of things (ie: Ground Rules!).
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