Liberty

John Stuart Mill

John Stuart Mill was a very well educated man who took a strong belief in Utilitrarianism; which he described as ‘ The greatest good for the greatest number of people”. John Mill believed strongly in the freedom of speech, he thought that people’s individual opinions should never be dissmissed on the grounds that they do not fit the current mainstream idea. He thought that by alllowing people to challenge what is generally decided to be ”correct” then even if their opinion is wrong then it can only make the ”correct” idea stronger. He very much believed that people should be left to their own devices as long as they are not harming others; this can be applied to modern day society in that people have the right to choose their own sexuality etc. as long as no one is being harmed. This would of beeen very different in his time as being homosexual was outlawed. However he felt the state should get involved when it came to educating children as he thought it should be compulsory for children to be educated. He advocated womens rights saying that if women were so incapable of doing things, why do we need so many laws to stop them. Some people argue his utilitarianism ways were flawed as utilitarianism removes pain for pleasure, however some people exercise (go through pain) to feel good at the end which contradicts that way of thinking.
John Stuart Mills was a promoter of civil liberties. In John Stuart Mills essay on Liberty when talking about having a leader of people with power he says ; But as the king of the vultures would be no less bent upon preying upon the flock than any of the minor harpies, it was indispensable to be in a perpetual attitude of defence against his beak and claws. He shows here that although he believes in having elite leader(s) people should still be weary and limit the amount of power the person has giving the community liberty.