John Stuart Mill

Topic: John Stuart Mill

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John Stuart Mill argued in "On Liberty" that utility (the greater good, measured in the quality as well
as quantity of happiness) in the "largest sense, grounded in the permanent interests of man as a
progressive being" was not best served through paternalistic government in which individuals are
compelled to their own betterment (progress). Rather, he insisted, it was best assured through liberty of
action limited only by "one very simple principle", and unlimited liberty of expression of opinion.
Explain, consider, and evaluate his arguments on behalf of the progressive function of liberty. Along with
the "progressive" nature of our being–our capacity to grow, learn, and improve–what characteristic of
humans (and "ages" of humans), often acknowledged in theory, when also acknowledged in practical
judgment, mandates complete liberty, especially of expression of opinion, whether they be seemingly
true, false, obvious, dangerous, etc.? Are his arguments still convincing? Will always yet more liberty
provide the best solutions to the commonly perceived dangers of liberty? How successfully would Mill’s
arguments aIDress the more paternalistic views of Rousseau or Wollstonecraft?