John Stuart Mill, a prominent political economist and advocate for individual liberty, argues that freedom should only be limited to prevent harm to others. He emphasizes the importance of freedom of speech and discussion in challenging conventional wisdom and promoting understanding of truth. Mill also advocates for individuality, suggesting that societal preference for conformity stifles personal development and undermines human potential.

1. On Liberty (John Stuart Mill)

2. Overview Who was John Stuart Mill? What were his ideas on individual liberty? What was his defense for freedom of speech (i.e. thought and discussion)? Why did he favor individuality in society?

3. John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) Prodigious political economist Third-generation Benthamite Contemporary of Alexis de Tocqueville Member of parliament and public official Made famous by his essay “On Liberty”

4. On Individual Liberty Liberty is absolute insofar as the individual is concerned the “inward domain of consciousness” liberty of tastes and pursuits freedom of association

5. Negative Liberty The limit of liberty in society is when it impinges upon the liberty of others Thus, the only justifiable reason to interfere with an individual’s exercise of liberty is to prevent harm to others

6. Negative Liberty There is a need to regulate the exercise of freedom… by individuals vis-à-vis other individuals by government vis-à-vis those whom they govern by society vis-à-vis the demands made on government

7. On Freedom of Speech In democracies, public opinion overpowers alternative ideas The tendency is for individuals to be intolerant of ideas that go against the grain At times, people take for granted the rationale behind conventional wisdom

8. On Freedom of Speech No one is infallible Dissenting opinions may possess some truth Discussion enables people to better understand what is true Discussion allows people to take to heart what is accepted as true

9. On Freedom of Speech Mill’s criterion of truth is prescient of Karl Popper’s criterion of falsifiability All knowledge is tentative We only accept as true that which can be and has not been falsified (disputed)

10. On Individuality Societies generally prefer conformity over individuality Conformity = Stability Conformity reflects the preference of the majority Thus customs/traditions are important to promote conformity

11. On Individuality It is in man’s nature to be free and express his individuality Man possesses faculties that allow him to discern and make choices To deprive man of such choices is to stunt his development The key is to harness this individuality properly

12. On Mill’s Other Ideas Utility as the final arbiter of ethical questions Liberty as proper to a particular stage of societal development Skepticism towards organized religion Etc.