What principle asserts that individuals should be free to act as they choose unless their actions harm others?

The principle that asserts individuals should be free to act as they choose unless their actions harm others is known as the Harm Principle. This concept is primarily attributed to the philosopher John Stuart Mill, who argued in his work "On Liberty" that individual freedom is essential for personal development and societal progress. According to Mill, the only justification for restricting individual liberty is to prevent harm to others. This principle emphasizes the importance of autonomy and personal choice while recognizing the need for a balance between individual rights and the welfare of the community. It promotes the idea that individuals can make their own decisions, provided those choices do not negatively impact others.

The other choices represent different concepts. The social contract refers to an implicit agreement among individuals to form a society and abide by its rules for mutual benefit. Separation of powers is a governance principle that divides authority among different branches of government to prevent abuse of power. Natural rights are fundamental human rights believed to be inherent and inalienable, which are not specifically focused on the condition of causing harm to others. Each of these concepts has its significance but does not encapsulate the specific notion of individual freedom balanced with the non-harming of others as effectively as the Harm Principle does.