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Single Idea 7211
[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 6. Liberalism / a. Liberalism basics
]
Full Idea
The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilised community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others; his own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant.
Gist of Idea
Prevention of harm to others is the only justification for exercising power over people
Source
John Stuart Mill (On Liberty [1857], Ch.1)
Book Ref
Mill,John Stuart: 'Utilitarianism (including On Liberty etc)', ed/tr. Warnock,Mary [Fontana 1962], p.135
A Reaction
This is the key idea in Mill's liberalism, though he goes on to offer some qualifications of this absolute prohibition. I don't disagree with this principle, but there may be a lot more indirect harm than we realise (eg. in allowing liberal sex or drugs).
The
25 ideas
from 'On Liberty'
20515
|
Maximise happiness by an area of strict privacy, and an area of utilitarian interventions
[Mill, by Wolff,J]
|
20516
|
Mill defends freedom as increasing happiness, but maybe it is an intrinsic good
[Wolff,J on Mill]
|
20517
|
Utilitarianism values liberty, but guides us on which ones we should have or not have
[Mill, by Wolff,J]
|
7215
|
True freedom is pursuing our own good, while not impeding others
[Mill]
|
7211
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Prevention of harm to others is the only justification for exercising power over people
[Mill]
|
7214
|
Ethics rests on utility, which is the permanent progressive interests of people
[Mill]
|
7212
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Individuals have sovereignty over their own bodies and minds
[Mill]
|
7210
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The will of the people is that of the largest or most active part of the people
[Mill]
|
7213
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Liberty arises at the point where people can freely and equally discuss things
[Mill]
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7216
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The ethics of the Gospel has been supplemented by barbarous Old Testament values
[Mill]
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7217
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The main argument for freedom is that interference with it is usually misguided
[Mill]
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7222
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It is a crime for someone with a violent disposition to get drunk
[Mill]
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7228
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Individuals often do things better than governments
[Mill]
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7227
|
It is evil to give a government any more power than is necessary
[Mill]
|
7230
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Aim for the maximum dissemination of power consistent with efficiency
[Mill]
|
7231
|
The worth of a State, in the long run, is the worth of the individuals composing it
[Mill]
|
7229
|
People who transact their own business will also have the initiative to control their government
[Mill]
|
7220
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Restraint for its own sake is an evil
[Mill]
|
7218
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Individuals are not accountable for actions which only concern themselves
[Mill]
|
7221
|
Blocking entry to an unsafe bridge does not infringe liberty, since no one wants unsafe bridges
[Mill]
|
7223
|
Pimping and running a gambling-house are on the border between toleration and restraint
[Mill]
|
7219
|
Society can punish actions which it believes to be prejudicial to others
[Mill]
|
7226
|
Benefits performed by individuals, not by government, help also to educate them
[Mill]
|
7224
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We need individual opinions and conduct, and State education is a means to prevent that
[Mill]
|
7225
|
It is a crime to create a being who lacks the ordinary chances of a desirable existence
[Mill]
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