john stuart mill on liberty and other essays

While Mill’s argument appears to be built upon the idea that all human beings, regardless of classification, are deserving of liberty, his argument is limited.Īside from the text, Mill’s involvement in the British East India Company impedes his argument of the right to liberty for all people. Through these words, Mill demonstrates his belief that society can only function under these circumstances. To further illustrate the necessity for liberty in society, Mill states that no society, “in which these liberties are not, on the whole, respected, is free, whatever may be its form of government” (Mill 598).

It is through these three forms that Mill defines liberty. It is also implied that the uniting of liberties be voluntary. The third and final distinguished liberty was the ability to combine the liberties of several individuals into a united front, so long as the intent of the united liberties is without harm. The condition which applies to this liberty is that it can be terminated upon violating the liberties of another individual. Mill described this liberty as being able to set the plans for one’s own life freely, without the impediment of other individuals. The second principle covers the “liberty of tastes and pursuits” (Mill 598). This covers the liberty of both thought and feeling, including opinion, morals, and sentiments. The first piece of liberty is that of the “inward domain of consciousness” (Mill 598). Mill defined liberty by separating it into three areas that are seemingly overlapping for him, liberty was exemplified through a protection of the individual’s rights against tyrannical rulers.

John stuart mill on liberty and other essays