John Mill Flashcards
(8 cards)
When can society intervene with someone’s liberty?
Individuals are not accountable to society for actions that only concern themselves or with consenting others; all it can do is advise/instruct, not punish. Members of society are responsible for accepting the punishment of society if they hurt others.
(John Stuart Mill, On Liberty)
What is tyranny of the majority?
Majorities (either governmental or societal) victimize and oppress minorities through their increased power.
(John Stuart Mill, On Liberty)
What is the Harm Principle?
A principle that says the only time society can exercise social power over its members is when any of its members wish to harm other members of their community.
(John Stuart Mill, On Liberty)
What are the 3 areas of individual liberty?
- Thought/speech/expression - allows for more innovation and change from new ideas. 2. Taste and its pursuit - want to live your life. 3. Association - an organization that bands together and does not hurt anyone.
(John Stuart Mill, On Liberty)
What is the History of liberty?
Stage 1: Ancient Greece, Roman Republic, and England - protected liberty, antagonism between governors and governed, had protections like recognition of individual rights and constitutional limits on rulers’ exercise of political power. Stage 2: Mass Democracy (US) - Placed government in the hands of the governed, democracy = solution to tyranny, less to fear from popular government.
(John Stuart Mill, On Liberty)
What is Social Tyranny?
Popular exercise of social coercion against individuals through rules/norms upheld by the whole of society. Far more dangerous than political tyranny, since it bleeds into every part of the individual’s life and suppresses individuality.
(John Stuart Mill, On Liberty)
What is Political Tyranny?
Oppression and victimization of individuals through government machinations. Political majority in government victimizes and oppresses minorities through direct vote or elected representatives (abuse of political power).
(John Stuart Mill, On Liberty)
What is offense v. harm?
Just because you are offended, that does not mean you are being harmed. You must reflect critically to decide how if you can intervene.
(John Stuart Mill, On Liberty)
