What legal principle supports an individual's right to defend themselves against unlawful force?

The principle that underpins an individual's right to defend themselves against unlawful force is self-defense. Self-defense is a legal doctrine that permits a person to use reasonable force to protect themselves from imminent harm or unlawful aggression. This concept recognizes that individuals have the inherent right to protect themselves when facing threats to their safety, allowing them to respond proportionately to avoid harm.

Self-defense hinges on several critical aspects, including the necessity of the response to be immediate, the proportionality of the force used, and the impossibility of retreating from the threat if such avoidance is safe and feasible. This established legal framework empowers individuals to take protective measures without the fear of facing legal repercussions, provided their actions are justified within the parameters of self-defense laws.

The other options do not encapsulate the fundamental idea of self-defense. For example, justification of physical retaliation is not a formally recognized legal principle and lacks specific guidelines governing when physical response is appropriate. Similarly, mutual combat agreements involve pre-arranged agreements to fight, and while some jurisdictions may allow for personal combat under mutually accepted conditions, it does not align with the right to self-defense in the context of protecting oneself against unlawful force. Lastly, the authority of bystanders refers to the rights or responsibilities of those witnessing an alter