Mill's 'On Liberty'

Question 1

Mill: Background Info

Answer 1

• Born 1806 and in childhood pushed onto him a utilitarianism approach by father
• Pushed equality for women in parliament which was radical idea

Question 2

Mill: Tyranny of the Majority

Answer 2

• A tyranny that reaches inside of us, fashioning ourselves on the model of what society expects is to be and do, leading to rigid conformity
• More pernicious form of power than power of state or democratic majorities
• Constrain it by putting line in the sand, up to this point legitimate for others to interfere in our actions, but beyond must keep out
• See the value of living our lives according to our individual nature
• To rely on custom is to abscond from that responsibility, to live in particular way because of society is negligent

Question 3

Mill: The Harm Principle

Answer 3

• His answer to the question of where the limits of power should be drawn
• Society can only interfere in one’s actions if those are affecting and harming others
• Offence and speech are not enough to interfere
  
  • Free speech is essential
• Can cast moral judgement on other’s actions, but most of us have views about what are good lives and bad lives, a liberal is someone who doesn’t think its right to impose their views upon others
• Self regarding actions free from interreference, other regarding actions are not

Question 4

Mill: Liberty

Answer 4

• Utilitarianism, idea that liberty leads to greatest good for greatest amount of people
• To prevent tyranny of majority need strong individual liberty, people should be free to think, speak and live
• Encourage individuality
• This prevents social oppression, and promotes truth, progress and creativity