John Stuart Mill On Liberty Essays - Classical Liberalism

John Stuart Mill: On Liberty 1. What On Liberty is about On Liberty is "a kind of philosophical textbook of a single truth": "the importance, to man and society, of a large variety in types of character, and of giving full freedom to human nature to expand itself in innumerable and conflicting directions." (Autobiography) "The subject of this Essay is...the nature and limits of the power which can be legitimately exercised by society over the individual." (On Liberty) Themes of On Liberty: . Toleration . Diversity . Individuality . Democracy . Equality . Tyranny of the majority, especially social tyranny 2. The Harm Principle "The object of this essay is to assert one very simple principle, as entitled to govern absolutely the dealings of society with the individual in the way of compulsion and control, whether the means used be physical force in the form of legal penalties, or the moral coercion of public opinion. That principle is, that...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." "The only part of the conduct of any one, for which he is amenable to society, is that which concerns others. In the part which merely concerns himself, his independence is, of right, absolute. Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign." . Self-regarding actions - harm no-one (private sphere; the appropriate region of human liberty) . Other-regarding actions - harm others (public sphere; where society may intervene) The liberty maxim and the social authority maxim "The maxims are, first, that the individual is not accountable to society for his actions, in so far as these concern the interests of no person but himself. Advice, instruction, persuasion, and avoidance by other people if thought necessary by them for their own good, are the only measures by which society can justifiably express its dislike or disapprobation of his conduct. Secondly, that for such actions as are prejudicial to the interests of others, the individual is accountable, and may be subjected either to social or to legal punishment, if society is of opinion that the one or the other is requisite for its protection."