Transcript On Liberty
“On Liberty” John Stuart Mill 1859. Chapter 1: Introduction Subject Social/Civil Liberty Nature and limits of power of society Objective Moral Principle Govern dealings of government with individuals Liberty v. Authority: Old Model Struggle: Liberty and Authority Old: Struggle: Subjects/Classes v. Government Liberty: Protection Tyranny Rulers: Antagonistic to People Governing Class Inheritance/Conquest No consent Independent power Power: Necessary, but Dangerous—weapon Stronger and more fearful. Liberty v. Authority: Old Model Aim of Old Patriots: Liberty limits to rulers over community Political Liberties/Rights 1. 1. 2. Immunities If breached general rebellion Constitutional checks 2. 1. Consent of community for decisions Ruling power Independent Checks against tyranny Liberty v. Authority: New Model Aim of Parties: elective and temporary rulers Worries: Will of Ruler = Will of People V. Limits to opposing power (ruler) Rulers: tenants or delegates of the community Revocable by people Power: not abused to their disadvantage Authority: periodical choice of community No need to protect against own will Criticism: New Model in Action Self-Government “People” (rulers) v. “People” (community) Different Will wills. of the People= Majority More active Accepted as majority Conclusion need of limitations: Tyranny of the Majority Tyranny of the Majority 1. 2. Through acts of public authorities Society as tyrant Not limited to functionaries Execute own mandates 1. 2. 1. 2. Wrong Beyond limit More powerful 3. 1. 2. No external limits No escape for subjects Protection in New Model Tyranny of magistrates Tyranny of prevailing opinion and feelings Society fashion character Ideas, practices, rule of conduct Prevent individuality against social harmony “There is a limit to the legitimate interference of collective opinion with individual independence” Indispensable find limit Finding the Limit Limit: Individual Independence v. Social Control Valuable existence restraints upon others Rules of conduct main question By law and opinion. Morality v. Preference—no reasoning Universal illusion Ruling class’ morality= morality of country Ordinary man preference=morality Self-interest Propriety or Impropriety of government=Preference Should its likings or dis-likings be a rule to individuals? Finding the Limit: Moral Rule Moral Principle Society-Individuals Interference with individuals self-protection Rightful exercise of power against willprevent harm to others Not sufficient warrant his own good (paternalistic) Happier Social acceptance Justification evil to someone else. Finding the Limit: Moral Rule Society’s Responsibility The part of conduct that concerns others Beyond Society’s Responsibilities The part of conduct which only concerns himself. Sovereignty of Individual Body Mind Individual maturity of their faculty No space for Liberty in states filled with barbarians—despotism is accepted. Utilitarian Basis Utility ultimate appeal on ethical questions Utility largest sense Permanent being interest of man as progressive Authorize: external control on actions that involve others. Evil action and inaction If control of actions more evil not to control Justification (p. 598). Human Liberty Inward domain of consciousness 1. Liberty of thought and feeling 1. 1. Expressing and publishing opinions Liberty of Taste and Pursuit 2. No harm to others No impediment 1. Combination among individuals 3. Unite 1. 1. If Full age and not forced/deceived. not respected enslaved society. Chapter II: Liberty of Thought and Discussion Liberty of the Press Security against tyrannical or corrupt government. Power of coercion illegitimate power No right of people to control expression/opinion. Regardless of legitimacy of government Reason Robbing the human race If truth Changing wrong for truth Government/Ages/individuals are not infallible Men believe themselves infallible—by chance If wrong Clearer perception of truth Complimentary Need of discussion to find out complete truth Infallibility Not being sure of a doctrine Definition Decide a question for others without admitting of opposition. Objections and Answers Public authority always assumes infallibility 1. Judgment is giving to use 1. Should they not use it because it might be wrong? 1. Assume it is true for our conduct 1. Answer True b/c not contested v. True b/c not to be contested. Disproving opinion origin of action Human Mind (dignity) corrigible Discussion and experience Discussion interpret experience Knowledge Objections and Answers 1. Usefulness right to suppress or impart opinion 1. Not based on infallibility Answer It is based on infallibility Is it really useful for mankind? If false not useful. Objections and Answers 1. The imposed opinions are true 1. No need to refute them Answer Hold as dogma No proof to support the truth Not the rational being finds truth Truth= Superstition “Accidentally clinging to the words that enunciate truths” Cultivation of Understanding grounds of opinions Ban on Dissenting Opinion Orthodox’ minds are deteriorated V. heretics Mental development is cramped Impediment in reason. No intellectually active people Duty as thinker follow intellect. Freedom of Thinking p. 609 Form great thinkers Average human attain highest mental stature. Combat mental slavery Dignity of thinking being Political Arena Healthy Political Life Party of order/stability Party of progress/reform Enlarge mental grasp Becoming order and progress. Chapter III: Individuality, an Element of Well-Being Individuality Free to act upon their opinions w/o physical or moral hindrance. Human Condition interpret experience Proviso limited liberty Own risk and peril No harm to others Sentiments or Active Interference Actions are not as free as opinions Opinion punishment Instigation to mischievous act. Freedom to Act: Individuality Reasons Not infallible Truths half truths Diversity is good 1. 2. 3. Until able to recognize all truth Mankind is imperfect. 1. 2. Variety of living Variety of character 1. 2. Person’s own character/ Individuality 4. Imperative for well-being 1. Happiness Social and Individual Progress 1. 2. 1. Civilization, Education, Culture. Tyranny of the Majority and Individuality Individuality Troublesome Own judgment: accepted Own impulses: dangerous. Obstruction to “general acceptance” of values. “Universal Values”= Values of the Majority Majority is satisfied choose values. Judging Experience Applicable to own circumstances and character Narrow experience or wrongly interpreted Unsuitable interpretation To merely conform no development of human qualities. 1. 2. 3. 1. 1. 2. 3. 4. Ape-like faculty: imitation Perception Judgment Moral preference Mental activity Making a Choice Works of Man v. Man Most important work: Man itself Humans are not machines Built after a model Humans are trees Development Worth proportional to development of individuality Inner force Raw material of nature impulses=energy Source of love of virtue Society protects its duty and interests. Society and Individuality Society deficiency of personal impulse History: too many strong impulses to be controlled Mind fettered censorship Conformity “ los in the crowd” = mediocrity Emperors: power over whole of man. What do people of my class do? Losing human nature deficient human capacities Laws rules of justice Restrains upon selfish part For the sake of others capacities: goal others If restrained on other things resistance Chapter IV: Limit of Authority of Society over Individual How much of human life should be assigned to individuality? Part of life that interests the individual How much of human life should be assigned to society? Part of life that interests society. Society: not formed by a contract Return for benefit—protection Observe line of conduct toward others Society’s Jurisdiction Society 1. is to enforce (not exhaustive) Not injuring interest of one another Rights: legal or tacit 1. 1. 2. Sharing sacrifices/labor of defending society and its members 1. 3. Punished by law Equitable principle Not injuring one another in any way 1. Punished by opinion Society’s Jurisdiction Conduct affects other prejudicially Discuss: Will the general welfare be promoted by interfering with it? Freedom if: Does not affect others or w/consent Selfish Doctrine? Misunderstanding Concern themselves with others only if own interest involved Doctrine Need of disinterested promotion of the good of others. Disinterested benevolence persuasion Help/Encouragement of others better v. worse Stimulating each other develop faculties Cannot prohibit action for own benefit (paternalistic). Most interested in his/her own well-being Society’s argument on presumptions Free exercise of individuality final judge “Punishing” actions concerning the Agent Free use of own judgment But… Feelings of others affect the person If qualities that conduce to own good admired If deficient on those qualities distaste Judge him as a being of inferior order Warn him of his actions beforehand. Right to act on our unfavorable opinion Acting up our individuality No association Warn others against Prefer others. Morality Morality exists in relationship to others Duties to ourselves not socially obligatory Prudence Self-respect Self-development Cannot be held accountable Not for the good of mankind Punishing Actions Concerning the “Other” Cases for Moral Reprobation, Retribution and Punishment Breaching rights Infliction of loss or damage Use of advantage over hem Selfish abstinence from defense Disposition that led to these actions. Society = Protector Judge and SentenceInflict severe pain