Instead, ethics should focus on a "minimal" set of rules that allow people with vastly different values to coexist. This involves: for everyone's interests. Neutrality regarding private lifestyles. The prioritisation of justice over virtue. Conclusion: A Tool for Freedom
The foundation of Ogien's thought is the "harm principle," famously articulated by John Stuart Mill but refined by Ogien for a contemporary context. This principle suggests that the only legitimate reason for moral or legal interference in an individual's life is to prevent harm to others. For Ogien, "harm" must be concrete and objective. Vague notions of "moral offense," "sin," or "indecency" do not constitute harm.
Ruwen Ogien’s philosophy is not an invitation to nihilism, but a defense of autonomy. By narrowing the scope of morality to the prevention of harm, he creates a space where individuals are truly sovereign over their own bodies and minds. In an era where "moral panics" often dictate public policy, Ogien’s minimalist ethics serves as a reminder that the primary role of morality is to facilitate peace between people, not to police the soul of the individual.
of L'Influence de l'odeur des croissants chauds sur la bonté humaine .
Ogien’s minimalism is deeply rooted in the liberal tradition of state neutrality. He argues that in a pluralistic society, it is impossible to reach a universal consensus on what constitutes a "good life." Therefore, the state and moral philosophy should not promote any specific conception of the good.
Ogien argues that the concept of a "duty to oneself" is a logical contradiction. A duty implies a relationship between two parties: one who owes and one who is owed. If the debtor and the creditor are the same person, the obligation becomes meaningless, as the individual can always grant themselves a "pardon" or exemption. By removing duties to oneself from the moral equation, Ogien liberates the private sphere from moral judgment, leaving it instead to the realm of personal preference and aesthetics. Neutrality and Pluralism
Ruwen Ogien was a prominent French philosopher known for his "minimalist" approach to ethics, particularly detailed in works like L'Éthique aujourd'hui : Maximalistes et minimalistes (2007) and La philosophie morale (2004). His work challenges traditional moral frameworks by arguing for a sharp distinction between duties to oneself and duties to others.