Editorial: Crimes sans victimes – Jacques Henric on the 'Empire of Good'
In an editorial for art press n°360 (October 2009), Jacques Henric denounces the proliferation of laws restricting individual freedoms under the guise of protection. He cites Philippe Muray's earlier warnings against this 'penal envy' and notes a consensus among politicians, psychologists, and family associations demanding state repression. Henric highlights Frédéric Beigbeder's rebellion after being detained for cocaine use, as recounted in his novel 'Un roman français'. Beigbeder invokes Michel Foucault's 'bio-politics' and argues for the right to self-harm without state interference. Henric also discusses philosopher Ruwen Ogien's latest essay on bioethics, where Ogien advocates for a 'minimalist ethics' that prohibits state intervention only when harm is done to others, opposing the 'maximalist' tradition that condemns victimless crimes like suicide, prostitution, and sodomy. Ogien notes the legal concept of 'crimes without victims' and concludes that we are all criminals.
Key facts
- Editorial by Jacques Henric in art press n°360, October 2009.
- Henric criticizes laws restricting individual freedoms, calling it an 'Empire of Good'.
- Philippe Muray previously warned against 'penal envy' in art press.
- Frédéric Beigbeder was detained for cocaine use and writes about it in 'Un roman français'.
- Beigbeder cites Michel Foucault on 'bio-politics' and argues for the right to self-harm.
- Ruwen Ogien's essay 'La Vie, la mort, l'État' proposes a 'minimalist ethics'.
- Ogien opposes state intervention in victimless acts like suicide, prostitution, sodomy.
- Legal concept of 'crimes without victims' is criticized by Ogien.
Entities
Artists
- Jacques Henric
- Philippe Muray
- Frédéric Beigbeder
- Michel Foucault
- Ruwen Ogien
Institutions
- art press
- Grasset
Sources
- artpress —