John Stuart Mill

When was he alive?

1806-73

What is his Harm principle?

Idea that an individual should be free to act how they wish, as long as they don’t harm other individual. He argues the only acceptable state intervention on an individual’s liberties should be to stop someone harming another - supports limited state which has few coercive powers

How did Evelyn Beatrice Hall paraphrase his opinions on how the state should tolerant diverse opinion? - HN

‘I disapprove of what you say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it’

What does he believe about popular democracy? - HN

Leads to tyranny of majority, advocating for things such as plural voting for the educated - state must be mindful of minority rights

What did mills argue about individualism (unlike earlier liberals)? - HN

Humans can always improve - developmental individualism

What did Mills later argue about human nature/state?

The state must intervene to help individuals attain developmental individualism by facilitating education. These ideas influenced mod liberalism, as a natural continuation, not a contradiction

What does he argue in his book ‘on liberty’ about freedom?

its vitality for society. he argues it’s important to have a society with lots of diverse characters and believes all individuals have free will + responsibility for their own lives

In his book ‘On liberty’ what did Mills argue about tolerance?

Just because an idea is popular, doesn’t mean its right, individuals should test ideas through discussion- e.g: by playing devils advocate. also believes established beliefs should be challenged and shouldn’t be accepted based on popularity

What is Mill’s opinion on economy?

encourages Laisse—faire capitalism as it promotes initiative and progress

When did he write ‘on liberty’?

1859