On Liberty, Issue 57From the Introduction In his Autobiography, Mill predicts that the essay On Liberty is "likely to survive longer than anything else that I have written." He goes on to say that the essay is the expression of a "single truth: " "the importance, to man and society, of a large variety of types of character, and of giving full freedom to human nature to expand itself in innumerable and conflicting directions." In the essay itself, Mill defines his subject as "the nature and limits of the power which can be legitimately exercised by society over the individual." He defends the absolute freedom of individuals to engage in conduct not harmful to others, and the near-absolute freedom to express and discuss opinions of all kinds. Mill's essay survives, as he had predicted, because his powerful message is still widely rejected by the powerful, and by those who continue to seek power over the lives of others. |
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Page 3
... interference of collective opinion with individual independence and to find that limit , and maintain it against en- croachment , is as indispensable to a good condition of human affairs , as pro- tection against political despotism ...
... interference of collective opinion with individual independence and to find that limit , and maintain it against en- croachment , is as indispensable to a good condition of human affairs , as pro- tection against political despotism ...
Page 5
... interference , by the legislative or the executive power , with private conduct ; not so much from any just regard for the independence of the individual , as from the still subsisting habit of look- ing on the government as ...
... interference , by the legislative or the executive power , with private conduct ; not so much from any just regard for the independence of the individual , as from the still subsisting habit of look- ing on the government as ...
Page 6
... interference of government is , with about equal frequency , improperly in- voked and improperly condemned . The ... interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number , is self - protection . That the only pur- pose for which ...
... interference of government is , with about equal frequency , improperly in- voked and improperly condemned . The ... interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number , is self - protection . That the only pur- pose for which ...
Page 8
... interference by law in the details of private life ; but the engines of moral repression have been wielded more strenuously against divergence from the reigning opinion in self- regarding , than even in social matters ; religion , the ...
... interference by law in the details of private life ; but the engines of moral repression have been wielded more strenuously against divergence from the reigning opinion in self- regarding , than even in social matters ; religion , the ...
Page 31
... interfere with this kind of controversial misconduct . With re- gard to what is commonly meant by intemperate discussion , namely invec- tive , sarcasm , personality , and the like , the denunciation of these weapons would deserve more ...
... interfere with this kind of controversial misconduct . With re- gard to what is commonly meant by intemperate discussion , namely invec- tive , sarcasm , personality , and the like , the denunciation of these weapons would deserve more ...
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Common terms and phrases
admit Archbishop of Dublin argument asserted Author believe better CATHERINE WINKWORTH character Christian Church Coll concerns conduct cracy creed custom desire despotism Dictionary discussion doctrine duty Edinburgh Review ENCYCLOPÆDIA England English Essays evil exercise exist experience faculties feelings Fourth Edition Fraser's Magazine freedom grounds History human Illustrations individual infallibility intellect interest interference judgment justify Lectures liberty LORD MACAULAY LUCY AIKIN LYRA mankind Maps MAUNDER'S means ment mental mind mode Monte Rosa moral nature object offence opinion persecution persons Philosophy Plates political Portrait Post 8vo practical present principle profess punishment question racter reason recognised religion religious require revised RICHARD WHATELY rulers rules Second Edition sentiments sion social society Square crown 8vo tain things Third Edition thought tion toleration true truth University of Oxford unless vidual vols Wilhelm von Humboldt Woodcuts wrong
Popular passages
Page 8 - The only freedom which deserves the name, is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs, or impede their efforts to obtain it.
Page 18 - LIBRARY EDITION, with all the Original Illustrations, Maps, Landscapes on Steel, Woodcuts, &c. 2 vols. 4to. 48s. INTERMEDIATE EDITION, with a Selection of Maps, Plates, and Woodcuts. 2 vols. square crown 8vo. 21s. STUDENT'S EDITION, revised and condensed, with 46 Illustrations and Maps.
Page 6 - 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.
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Page 6 - These are good reasons for remonstrating with him, or reasoning with him, or persuading him, or entreating him, but not for compelling him, or visiting him with any evil in case he do otherwise.
Page 37 - If acquiesced in, it dulls and blunts the whole nature. To give any fair play to the nature of each, it is essential that different persons should be allowed to lead different lives. In proportion as this latitude has been exercised in any age, has that age been noteworthy to posterity. Even despotism does not produce its worst effects, so long as individuality exists under it ; and whatever crushes individuality is despotism, by whatever name it may be called, and whether it professes to be enforcing...
Page 6 - It is, perhaps, hardly necessary to say that this doctrine is meant to apply only to human beings in the maturity of their faculties. We are not speaking of children, or of young persons below the age which the law may fix as that of manhood or womanhood.
Page 7 - ... so long as what we do does not harm them, even though they should think our conduct foolish, perverse, or wrong. Thirdly, from this liberty of each individual, follows the liberty, within the same limits, of combination among individuals; freedom to unite, for any purpose not involving harm to others: the persons combining being supposed to be of full age, and not forced or deceived.