Agency Quote by Tom G. Palmer
“Equality of rights means that some people cannot simply impose obligations on others, for the moral agency and rights of those others would then be violated.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Moral Foundations of Human Rights, 2015
Rights require respecting others' agency; imposing duties without consent violates moral autonomy.
In simple terms: Respect others' freedom when assigning duties.
Key Takeaway
Never force obligations on others.
Themes
rights
autonomy
ethical responsibility
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
ethical
political
When to use this quote
- lawmaking
- workplace policies
- family decisions
- international treaties
Key Concepts
Moral agency
consent
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it justified to limit someone's autonomy?
- How do we protect vulnerable groups without imposing?
A Different Perspective
Balancing collective needs with individual rights can be complex.
![“[I]t is the greatest absurdity to suppose it in the power of one, or of any number of men, at the entering into society to renounce their essential natural rights, or the means of preserving those rights, when the grand end of civil government, from the very nature of its institution, is for the…” quote by Samuel Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/74e/samuel-adams-3491_america_i-t-is-the-greatest-absurdity-to-suppose_814662.jpg)
![“[L]et me point out that libertarians defend a tradition of liberty that is the fruit of thousands of years of human history.” quote by Tom G. Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/da2/tom-g-palmer-24998_freedom_l-et-me-point-out-that-libertarians-defe_1142582.jpg)
![“We have no clear ideas of the agency of [demonic] spirits, nor is it necessary. The Scripture says little to satisfy our curiosity; but tells us plainly that he is always watching us, and desiring to sift us as wheat. I believe we give him no more than his due, when we charge him with having a…” quote by John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c75/john-newton-6629_abundance_we-have-no-clear-ideas-of-the-agency-of_2907.jpg)
