Final answer:
The principle guiding the common sense understanding that one's actions might cause harm to others is known as the harm principle.
Step-by-step explanation:
The principle that a person has a common sense understanding that the results of his or her behavior might cause harm is termed the harm principle. This principle is a fundamental ethical guideline which suggests that an individual's actions should be restricted only to prevent harm to others. A person's conduct, such as free speech, should therefore not be curtailed unless it harms another, for instance by directly inciting violence. The harm principle is a cornerstone of liberal philosophy, credited largely to John Stuart Mill, affirming that people should have the freedom to act however they wish unless their actions cause harm to someone else.