![]() On Liberty has played a role many constitutional law theories. On Liberty has been important to the First Amendment marketplace of ideas In summary, the robust exchange of ideas will help preserve individuality, restrain the tyranny of social opinion, and guide the pursuit of truth. This argument implies that even false ideas are valuable, because they both test the truth and prevent it from slipping into dogma, and because they too may contain a germ of truth worth preserving. Third, because no one idea is the sum of truth, even those ideas containing only a portion of the truth will help society acquire knowledge.Second, free competition of ideas is the best way to find truth.First, because no one knows the truth, censoring an idea may be censoring the truth.Mill offers several arguments in favor of free expression. Mill argued against censorshipĬhapter 2 of On Liberty is a defense of freedom of thought and expression and an argument against censorship. Overall, the thrust of these parts is to effect a wall between one’s private and public life, with society having no right to interfere in the private life. Mill also contends that were society to interfere, it would often do so wrongly. In these arguments, Mill asserts that individuals are their own best judges of their tastes and preferences, and therefore they should be permitted to make their own choices if they are to grow and flourish as individuals. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant.” Mill argued against paternalismĬhapters 3, 4, and 5 of On Liberty are devoted to an extended series of arguments against paternalism. That the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. To this question Mill responds: “The sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection. The central concern of On Liberty is to find a way to draw the line between “individual independence and social control”-that is, under what circumstances is society warranted in interfering in a person’s life? Protection is also needed against the tyranny of prevailing opinion, which seeks to suppress dissent and enforce conformity. Mill said individual freedom needed protection from the government and from social controlĪccording to Mill, protection against the tyranny of the government magistrate is not enough to ensure individual freedom. On Liberty was thus an inspiration for future First Amendment theory. The importance of On Liberty resides in a series of powerful arguments defending the free flow of ideas in a marketplace of ideas, and in the belief that individuals can best make their lifestyle choices, free from government intervention. ![]() ![]() ![]() The 1859 book On Liberty by British philosopher John Stuart Mill presents one of the most influential arguments ever formulated in favor of free speech and individual freedom over censorship and paternalism. (Image circa 1870 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain) The 1859 book On Liberty by British philosopher John Stuart Mill (pictured here) presents one of the most influential arguments ever formulated in favor of free speech and individual freedom over censorship and paternalism. ![]()
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