John Stuart Mill
Historical FigureVictorian Britain
From George Washington, Volume I by Lodge, Henry Cabot
The only freedom deserving the name is pursuing our own good without harming others.
Known for: The harm principle, reformed utilitarianism, and the case for women's equality
About John Stuart Mill
Role: Philosopher, political economist, advocate for liberty
Core Belief: The only freedom deserving the name is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not harm others
Worldview: A reformed utilitarian who believes happiness requires qualitative distinction between higher and lower pleasures
Debates featuring John Stuart Mill
Public Consultations with John Stuart Mill
1:1 ConsultationMar 12, 20262 messages
How do I make a...
Q: How do I make a difficult decision when both options have serious consequences?
John Stuart Mill: The illusion that some choices are without serious consequences is precisely that — an illusion. The task is not to wish for painless choices, but to assess accurately the costs of each path, to weigh them against one another with as much clarity as one can muster, and to choose the path that advanc…
1:1 ConsultationMar 12, 20262 messages
Why did you argue for...
Q: Why did you argue for women's equality in an era when almost no one did?
John Stuart Mill: I did not arrive at the argument on my own. Harriet saw this before I did, and she saw it more clearly. The Subjection of Women is as much her argument as mine — I wrote the sentences, but the thinking was shared. As for why, the better question is how anyone could have failed to see the injustice.…
1:1 ConsultationMar 12, 20262 messages
Why should we protect speech...
Q: Why should we protect speech we find offensive?
John Stuart Mill: The question is not whether we find it offensive, but whether it causes harm to others. My principle is simple: the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or mora…
1:1 ConsultationMar 12, 202612 messages
Why should we protect speech...
Q: Why should we protect speech we find offensive?
John Stuart Mill: I have answered this before, but perhaps the heart of the matter was not made clear. The question is not whether the speech is offensive. Offense is a subjective judgment, and easily manipulated. The question is whether it is suppressible.
There are two justifications for suppressing an opinion: ei…
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