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Open Philosophy LibraryOn LibertyJohn Stuart Mill

On Liberty

By John Stuart Mill

John Stuart Mill's On Liberty defends freedom of thought, discussion and self-directed living against both government coercion and social conformity. Its five chapters formulate the harm principle, explain why dissent benefits truth, present individuality as an element of well-being, distinguish self-regarding conduct from conduct affecting others, and test these principles through practical applications. Published in 1859, the work remains foundational to liberal political philosophy.

Publication
1859
Genre
Liberal political philosophy; ethics; social and political theory
Era
19th-Century Philosophy, Modern Philosophy

About this work

On Liberty, published in 1859, is John Stuart Mill's classic examination of the authority society may legitimately exercise over individuals. Mill's harm principle holds that coercion is justified to prevent harm to others, not merely because a person's own conduct appears unwise or morally objectionable. He applies this standard to law as well as the informal pressure of public opinion. The work gives a powerful defence of free discussion. Suppressed opinions may be true, partly true or useful challenges that keep accepted beliefs intellectually alive. Mill also treats individuality as a component of well-being. Active choice develops judgement and character, while diverse experiments in living help societies discover better possibilities. Across five chapters, the book connects liberty with fallibility, truth, responsibility, social progress and limits on centralised authority.

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