back to ideas for this text


Single Idea 7218

[from 'On Liberty' by John Stuart Mill, in 25. Social Practice / A. Freedoms / 5. Freedom of lifestyle ]

Full Idea

My first maxim is that the individual is not accountable to society for his actions, in so far as these concern the interests of no person but himself.

Gist of Idea

Individuals are not accountable for actions which only concern themselves

Source

John Stuart Mill (On Liberty [1857], Ch.5)

Book Reference

Mill,John Stuart: 'Utilitarianism (including On Liberty etc)', ed/tr. Warnock,Mary [Fontana 1962], p.226


A Reaction

This is a key idea of liberalism, and one which communitarians have doubts about (because it is almost impossible to perform an action which is of no interest, in the short or long term, to others). I share these doubts.