12."The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community against his will is to prevent harm to others." Discuss.
John Stuart Mill's essay "On Liberty" explains to us the importance of liberty in this life; he goes through all the important issues involved with liberty in order for us to understand his general principles. The principle that concerns us in this essay is the harm principle; that is that the only time society should interfere in a persons liberty is when their actions interfere with others. I will go through all the relevant issues used in Mill's essay and this will explain Mill's theory and how I believe his theory is correct overall and an excellent maxim for life. Mill's "one simple principle" is elaborated on throughout his essay, through chapters on thought, discussion and action, to deliver his principle on liberty: that the liberty of the individual should be absolute except in the case where that liberty did harm to another.
English: John Stuart Mill's On Social Freedom: or ...
US-IN-Liberty Mills
Drinkstone Mill, c1964. Still being used commercia...Mill goes on to declare liberty, not truth, paramount. It is liberty that society must seek and it is liberty that is the important element of individuality.
Mill begins in his introductory chapter by explaining what he is writing about, he is concerned with the amount of control that society can exert over an individuals liberty. Mankind has always been concerned with the amount the government control us, in absolute governments our liberty was almost completely controlled by the state. However, Mill feels that the installing of democracy in the modern world does not solve the problem. He writes of "the tyranny of the majority", Mill feels we should protect ourselves not just from the tyranny of the state itself, but also of the prevailing opinions of the...
John Stuart Mill on Liberty
This essay was very fluent and explanatory of Mill's essay. I thought the intro was well-structured, although I didn't like how at the conclusion you presented some questions of Mill's theories. You could've elaborated a lot in that respect, instead of just ending it there. Anyhow, the points came across very well and I agee with the sovereignty of the individual. Conformity really inhibits innovations. Nice job, overall.
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