On Liberty John Stuart Mill W L Courtney 9781539404347 Books
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"Few men have ever lived who have been able to express their thoughts or those of others so clearly. He is one of the very few men who it is safe to trust when giving an account on the opinions of an adversary. When moved by what he held to be a great wrong, Mill's language rises to a white heat of passion, which may be compared with some of the finest pieces of invective in the language." -Notes and Queries, 1889
"A strong, bold, radical writer.... strikes at the despotism of public opinion over individual freedom of thought." -Johnson's Universal Cyclopaedia, Volume 4, 1895
Liberty was published in 1859, when the nineteenth century was half over, but in its general spirit and in some of its special tendencies the little tract belongs rather to the standpoint of the eighteenth century than to that which saw its birth. In many of his speculations John Stuart Mill forms a sort of connecting link between the doctrines of the earlier English empirical school and those which we associate with the name of Mr. Herbert Spencer. In his Logic, for instance, he represents an advance on the theories of Hume, and yet does not see how profoundly the victories of Science modify the conclusions of the earlier thinker. Similarly, in his Political Economy, he desires to improve and to enlarge upon Ricardo, and yet does not advance so far as the modifications of political economy by Sociology, indicated by some later—and especially German—speculations on the subject. In the tract on Liberty, Mill is advocating the rights of the individual as against Society at the very opening of an era that was rapidly coming to the conclusion that the individual had no absolute rights against Society. The eighteenth century view is that individuals existed first, each with their own special claims and responsibilities; that they deliberately formed a Social State, either by a contract or otherwise; and that then finally they limited their own action out of regard for the interests of the social organism thus arbitrarily produced. This is hardly the view of the nineteenth century. It is possible that logically the individual is prior to the State; historically and in the order of Nature, the State is prior to the individual. In other words, such rights as every single personality possesses in a modern world do not belong to him by an original ordinance of Nature, but are slowly acquired in the growth and development of the social state. It is not the truth that individual liberties were forfeited by some deliberate act when men made themselves into a Commonwealth. It is more true to say, as Aristotle said long ago, that man is naturally a political animal, that he lived under strict social laws as a mere item, almost a nonentity, as compared with the Order, Society, or Community to which he belonged, and that such privileges as he subsequently acquired have been obtained in virtue of his growing importance as a member of a growing organisation. But if this is even approximately true, it seriously restricts that liberty of the individual for which Mill pleads. The individual has no chance, because he has no rights, against the social organism. Society can punish him for acts or even opinions which are anti-social in character. His virtue lies in recognising the intimate communion with his fellows. His sphere of activity is bounded by the common interest. Just as it is an absurd and exploded theory that all men are originally equal, so it is an ancient and false doctrine to protest that a man has an individual liberty to live and think as he chooses in any spirit of antagonism to that larger body of which he forms an insignificant part.
On Liberty John Stuart Mill W L Courtney 9781539404347 Books
Reading Mill at this particular moment in our history is to be reminded not only of the source of our most cherished ideals of liberty and political liberalism but also of the powerful logical and moral reasons supporting our idea of individual freedom and responsibility. Both the writing and the supporting arguments are models of clarity, intellectual modesty and common sense. What a sad contrast to the empty headed slaganeering of today's political and moral discourse.Product details
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Tags : On Liberty [John Stuart Mill, W. L. Courtney] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. "Few men have ever lived who have been able to express their thoughts or those of others so clearly. He is one of the very few men who it is safe to trust when giving an account on the opinions of an adversary. When moved by what he held to be a great wrong,John Stuart Mill, W. L. Courtney,On Liberty,CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform,153940434X,PHILOSOPHY Political
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On Liberty John Stuart Mill W L Courtney 9781539404347 Books Reviews
John Stuart Mill is one of the giants of political/practical philosophy.
This book is very densely written; you get a full page worth of reading on each page. The book was written in 1859. So the language is a bit more formal and strange compared to contemporary writings. But it's very readable. He explains the thought process behind his opinions. They're very logical. If be reading And think "Gee, never thought of it that way" Or "so that's why things are the way they are". And, for a book written 160 years ago, it is surprising my relevant.The
Highly recommended!!
Mill was an atheist and decidedly anti-Christian, and I state this for those who need to take this into account before reading an essay on world view. Despite this fact, John Stuart Mill would be most displeased with how Christians and religious conservatives are being vilified these days. He is definitely NOT in favor of shutting down dissenting opinions or open discussions, and the book has some potent quotes that could be applied to today's "politically correct" shenanigans. He makes a very strong case against the type of soft tyranny we are seeing today with regard to prevailing opinions on controversial topics. He clearly states that protection from government tyranny is not enough; there is also the tyranny of popular opinion toward unpopular opinion, and that people should be protected from this as well. Timely and relevant. Warning the book is short, but it is not an "easy read." Well worth it nonetheless.
Amazing insight into the human condition with regard to thought processes, how one's ego can convince the mind that it is the only acceptable opinion. Appearing to have been in print for over a hundred and fifty years the author had an incredible clarity in explaining how the body politic encouraged opposing views in that day and age. The purpose of which was to sound out the reasoning of each opinion. Today this man would be heckled off the stage or assaulted for disagreeing with the far left, if that were to be the case. A mind opener for sure
A solid work that everyone should read, regardless of political alignment. How do we balance societal well being with personal liberty? In an ideal democracy, the will of the government becomes the will of the majority, so how do we protect the minority? Why are free speech and diversity (even eccentricity) so desirable in the first place? Mill has some ideas.
Pros One of the most practical pieces from the utilitarian thinkers of the era. Almost prescient on a number of matters (his genealogy of christian morality, proto-feminist thinking, religious diversity as including atheism).
Cons I don't think that Mill ever fully resolves the concept of social tyranny in this work, which he rightly gives serious thought. Additionally, there is some (unsurprising) apologia for imperialism, and his assumption that Parliament is, or will become shortly, the will of the people, seems a bit overly optimistic.
Regardless of these quibbles, I think this is an important read for anyone interested in political philosophy.
John Stuart Mill was one of the most important writers on the subject intellectual and personal freedom. His writings are voluminous in many areas of philosophy. This little volume is a very nice introduction to his basic views on politics and society. Here he lays out the basis for a libertarian view of society. His essential contribution to political theory is that the state has no authority to coerce any individual to do anything for his own good. The sole basis for for the state to interfere in any person's life is to prevent him from doing any harm to anyone else.
As a friend used to tell me when I was in grade school "Your freedom ends where my nose begins."
Reading Mill at this particular moment in our history is to be reminded not only of the source of our most cherished ideals of liberty and political liberalism but also of the powerful logical and moral reasons supporting our idea of individual freedom and responsibility. Both the writing and the supporting arguments are models of clarity, intellectual modesty and common sense. What a sad contrast to the empty headed slaganeering of today's political and moral discourse.
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