In On Liberty , John Stuart Mill writes in order to support the principle that individual liberties should not be infringed upon unless it is for self-protection. Thatis, nobody has the
right to take away from the
rights of another unless that other individual is doing something that directly harms others. Mill discusses three different kinds of liberties in his essay. One is the individual's rights regarding thought and conscience. The second concerns individual rights in actions, and the third is the right of groups. Mill argues that every person is
allowed to entertain whatever ideas or philosophies he wishes to entertain. People also
ought to be allowed the right to speak and write about those ideas without fear of persecution by the
majority. Mill points out that the popular
opinion may not always be right, and so nonconformists ought to be allowed to express their ideas as part of a more general search for the truth. Even if that individual is not right, then members of the majority have the opportunity to understand their own position better through debate and discourse with the individual whom they are arguing against. Furthermore, Mill points out that by stifling a dissenting opinion, the majority would be taking away from the rights of those who wish to express their own ideas against that dissenting opinion. It is through this kind of discussion between opposing ideas that intellectualism flourishes and truths are found. With regards to freedom of action, Mill does concede that people are more limited, because actions have a greater probability of harming others. Barring this, however, people should be allowed to live as they choose, even experimenting in their ways of life, because they might discover something that proves beneficial to society as a whole. Once again, Mill is defending the rights of the individual because he believes that it supports a greater good and the search for truths. Groups also ought to be allowed to
follow the ideology or way of life that they wish to follow. Just because the rest of society does not agree does not mean that the group has it wrong. And so long as the group does not compel others to follow its ways, nor does anything to harm other groups or individuals, then they are free to think and do as they please. For the most part, Mill argues, people ought to be allowed to look after their own interests because they know better than anybody what their needs are. It is only for the prevention of harm or evil that anybody ought to be compelled to take part in any action. Mill also opposes government interference, at least up to a certain point. Government is permitted to get involved for the sake of regulation and morality, but Mill believes that ultimately it is the individual who knows best.
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