Essay Mill on Liberty - 1913 Words

In Chapter 2, Mill turns to the issue of whether people, either through their government or on their own, should be allowed to coerce or limit anyone elses expression of opinion. Mill emphatically says that such actions are illegitimate. Even if only one person held a particular opinion, mankind would not be justified in silencing him. Silencing these opinions, Mill says, is wrong because it robs quot;the human race, posterity as well as the existing generation.quot; In particular, it robs those who disagree with these silenced opinions. Mill then turns to the reasons why humanity is hurt by silencing opinions. His first argument is that the suppressed opinion may be true. He writes that since human beings are not infallible, they†¦show more content†¦Furthermore, the truth of a belief is integral to whether it is desirable for it to be believed. Mill observes that the assumption of infallibility about a certain question implies that one not only feels very sure about a belief, but also includes the attempt to try to decide that question for other people. It is in stifling dissenting opinions in the name of social good that some of the most horrible mistakes in human history have been made. Mill writes about Socrates and Jesus Christ, two illustrious figures in history, who were put to death for blasphemy because their beliefs were radical for their times. Mill then considers whether society should be able to censor an opinion that rejects a common moral belief or the existence of God and a future state. He gives the example of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, a just and kind man who still persecuted Christianity, failing to see its value to society. Mill argues that if one is to accept the legitimacy of punishing irreligious opinions, one must also accept that if one felt, like Marcus Aurelius did, that Christianity was dangerous, o ne would also be justified in punishing Christianity. Third, Mill considers the criticism that truth may be justifiably persecuted, because persecution is something that truth should have to face, and it will always survive. Mill replies that such a sentiment is harshly unfair to those who actually are persecuted for holding true ideas. By discovering something true, these people haveShow MoreRelatedThe Mill s On Liberty Essay2249 Words   |  9 PagesPositive Liberty in Mill’s On Liberty On his well-known work, On Liberty, John Stuart Mill starts by clarifying that the subject of his essay is Civil or Social liberty: â€Å"the nature and limits of the power which can be legitimately exercised by society over the individual,† (Mill, 5). 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Mill expressed his understanding about liberty in several ways in his essay named, On Liberty. In this paper, I will strongly explain the significance of the quotation, assumptions mills argument depends upon, limitations in the right of free speech, and agreement with Mill’s points of view. Without further ado; let me activate the critical analysis of Mill’s approach regarding liberty. To commence,Read MoreThe On Liberty By John Stuart Mills2164 Words   |  9 Pages ON LIBERTY In John Stuart Mills’ profound work, On Liberty he preaches against the conformity of the nations and outwardly encourages and restlessly defends voice of the individual. The philosopher expresses the importance of individuality by warning against forces such as the government and other citizens silencing their opinion. 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Whereas, Wilson’s views coincide with the idea that individuals generate decisions based off of historically discoveredRead MoreComparing Rousseau And Mill On Liberty Essay1838 Words   |  8 Pages The term â€Å"civil or social liberties† is one that garners a lot of attention and focus from both Rousseau and Mill, although they tackle the subject from slightly different angles. Rousseau believes that the fundamental problem facing people’s capacity to leave the state of nature and enter a society in which their liberty is protected is the ability to â€Å"find a form of association that defends and protects the person and goods of each associate with all the common force, and by means of which eachRead MoreJohn Stuart Mill on Liberty and Freedom of Expression1388 Words   |  6 PagesInhibition of ones liberty, such as their liberty of conscience (i.e. freedom of speech), is unjust by Millian principles, unless the persons use of deliberation is to voice hate speech. So what is hate speech? 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