Published November 4, 2024
In medicine, doctors adhere to the historic maxim: “First, do no harm.” This principle is as simple as it sounds: Medical doctors should use their powers to heal, never harm.
It is a principle that applies just as much to governance and public policy as it does to medicine.
It would be counterintuitive, after all, to install leaders into office who would use their power against the interests and well-being of their citizens. It should also inform our approach to voting. As Christians enter the voting booth, “First, do no harm” can provide remarkably helpful insight into our responsibilities as voters. At its heart, the phrase mirrors the call to love our neighbors as ourselves, a foundational teaching of the Christian faith. Applying this principle to voting challenges us to consider the moral implications that come with voting. Chiefly, this principle tells us we should seek policies and leaders that promote human dignity, protect the vulnerable, and foster the common good.
“First, do no harm” does not identify ideal policies. In fact, framed in the negative, it only tells us never to use our agency to bring about intentionally destructive ends. It helps us establish a few first principles, such as that law and public policy should tell the truth about the human person, the truth about the family, and the necessary conditions, such as freedom, that we require to live fulfilled lives. The law should always align with truth and human flourishing.
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EPPC Fellow Andrew T. Walker, Ph.D., researches and writes about the intersection of Christian ethics, public theology, and the moral principles that support civil society and sound government. A sought-after speaker and cultural commentator, Dr. Walker’s academic research interests and areas of expertise include natural law, human dignity, family stability, social conservatism, and church-state studies. The author or editor of more than ten books, he is passionate about helping Christians understand the moral demands of the gospel and their contributions to human flourishing and the common good. His most recent book, out in May 2021 from Brazos Press, is titled Liberty for All: Defending Everyone’s Religious Freedom in a Secular Age.
