Final answer:
Legal limits to individual rights include safeguarding national security and maintaining social order, as represented by laws and the Bill of Rights. Individual liberties are often balanced against societal interests and safety concerns, restricting actions that could harm others.
Step-by-step explanation:
Two of the legal limits to individual rights include the imperative to safeguard national security and the need to maintain social order. For example, the USA PATRIOT Act has been a subject of debate regarding the extent to which individual rights should be restricted for national security purposes. Secondly, individual actions that are contrary to social standards may also be limited by the government if they are considered detrimental to the wellbeing of the society at large. The Bill of Rights offers specific protections that set the boundaries of government power, ensuring that personal freedoms such as speech, press, religion, and assembly are not arbitrarily encroached upon by the state.
However, these rights are not absolute. Actions such as hate speech, inciting violence, or the expression of views that could lead to public endangerment can be restricted. The concept that "Your right to throw a punch stops where my nose begins" aptly encapsulates the principle that individual liberties are limited when they infringe upon the rights and safety of others. Therefore, individual rights are balanced against the collective rights and safety of the public, ensuring laws and restrictions serve the wider community's interest.