Perry J. S. Mill on Classical Liberalism

MEHAP Andrew Fortugno

Perry J. S. Mill on Classical Liberalism

Thesis: J.S. Mill, in his defense of intellectual freedom in On Liberty, argue that everyman is entitled to his own opinion on all subject matters no matter what the majority favors.

1. John Stuart Mill (1806-1873), prominent British philosopher

a. No individual or Government has no monopoly over truth

b. Toleration of opposing and unpopular viewpoints is a necessary trait in order for a person to become rational, moral, and civilized.

2. Essay asserts one very simple principle, “That principle is that the sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number is self protection”.

a. Only power that can be exercised over any civilized member of society, against his will, is to prevent harm to others.

b. “Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign”

3. Appropriate region of human liberty comprises

a. Inward domain of consciousness

b. Thought and feeling

c. Absolute freedom of opinion and sentiment on all subjects

i. Practical

ii. Speculative

iii. Scientific

iv. Moral

v. Theological

4. Mankind are greater gainers by suffering each other to live as seems good to themselves than by compelling each to live as seems good to the rest

5. The peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is that it is robbing the human race, posterity, as the existing generation, those who dissent from the opinion, still more than those who hold it.