PHI 2183 Lecture Notes - Lecture 20: John Stuart Mill, Status Quo, On Liberty
5 Apr 2016
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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 moral, is not a sufficient warrant. : page 12. I forgo any advantage which could be derived to my argument from the idea of abstract right, as a thing independent of utility. I regard utility as the ultimate appeal on all ethical questions : page 14. The only freedom of which deserves the name, is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of their, or impede their efforts to obtain it. Each is the proper guardian of his own health, whether bodily or mental and spiritual. Mankind are greater gainers by suffering each to live as seems good to themselves, than by compelling each to live as seems good to the rest .
