john stuart mill on liberty and other essays

If no violence is instigated, we are unjustified in suppressing unpopular ideas and we have no right to decide for other people what they may or may not be exposed to.

Mill is saying the idea of someone being justified in silencing an opinion because they feel their position is correct is assuming the person is incapable of making mistakes. All silencing of discussion is an assumption of infallibility.” (Mill, 1869). Mill states, “To refuse a hearing to an opinion, because they are sure that it is false, is to assume that their certainty is the same thing as absolute certainty. This brings into perspective that we cannot always know a controversial view is right or wrong until it is brought into the light of discussion and debate. Throughout history, it has been shown that unpopular or heretical views are true or at least a progression towards a greater truth.Ī notable example would be Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution which challenged traditional beliefs set by the catholic church on how we were created. Mill’s first argument in the defence of free speech is that we simply cannot always know if the opinion we are trying to suppress is wrong.

This is a key part in his argument since if a person’s opinion does not harm someone in any way, shape, or form they have no reason to silence these harmless views of another. John Stuart Mill recognized that society tends to encourage conformity whether it is through laws the government enforces or if it is through societal pressure.

John stuart mill on liberty and other essays