|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries: |
Research categories | Follow us on Twitter |
Research categories
View all topics in the newsView all reference sources at Encyclopedia.com |
|||
On Liberty
On Liberty (1859) was John Stuart Mill's influential justification of individual freedom. In this book, Mill set out to establish a ‘simple principle’—that the only legitimate reason for interfering with someone's action was to protect someone else; the good of the agent himself/herself was not sufficient warrant. Mill based his defence of liberty on utilitarian grounds, not on a natural right to freedom; arguing that on balance people were happier when left to choose their life-styles for themselves. He also believed that social well-being and scientific progress depended on the greatest possible freedom of expression and publication. His attack was directed not only at governmental paternalism but also at social conformity.
Tim S. Gray |
|
|
Cite this article
JOHN CANNON. "On Liberty." The Oxford Companion to British History. 2002. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN CANNON. "On Liberty." The Oxford Companion to British History. 2002. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O110-OnLiberty.html JOHN CANNON. "On Liberty." The Oxford Companion to British History. 2002. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O110-OnLiberty.html |
|
On Liberty
On Liberty (1859) was John Stuart Mill's influential justification of individual freedom. In this book, Mill set out to establish a ‘simple principle’—that the only legitimate reason for interfering with someone's action was to protect someone else. Mill based his defence of liberty on utilitarian grounds, not on a natural right to freedom; arguing that on balance people were happier when left to choose their life‐styles for themselves.
|
|
|
Cite this article
JOHN CANNON. "On Liberty." A Dictionary of British History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN CANNON. "On Liberty." A Dictionary of British History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O43-OnLiberty.html JOHN CANNON. "On Liberty." A Dictionary of British History. 2004. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O43-OnLiberty.html |
|
Liberty, On
Liberty, On, an essay by J. S. Mill, published 1859. In this work Mill examines the proper relations of society to the individual. In his view, ‘the sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection.’ The only part of the conduct of anyone, for which he is amenable to society, is that which concerns others.
|
|
|
Cite this article
MARGARET DRABBLE and JENNY STRINGER. "Liberty, On." The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MARGARET DRABBLE and JENNY STRINGER. "Liberty, On." The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O54-LibertyOn.html MARGARET DRABBLE and JENNY STRINGER. "Liberty, On." The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature. 2003. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O54-LibertyOn.html |
|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries:
HighBeam™ Research, Inc. © Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.
The Encyclopedia.com advertising network includes:
