PHILOS 1B03 Study Guide - Moral Nihilism, Tyrant, Zoophilia
17 Apr 2013
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Document Summary
Tyranny of the majority is when the majority forces its views on the minority. In this situation, the majority"s opinion rules, but this could be a problem in the political realm (democracy) or the social realm (public opinion). The significance of this is that mill believes that if the minority views are true, we will never know if these views are not expressed. He believes that everyone should have the freedom to express their opinion (liberty). Society itself can become the tyrant by seeking to inflict its will and values on others. People with power exercise it over those without power and majority may consciously try to oppress without power. Mill argues that society can tyrannize without using political means, and that, power of public opinion can be more stifling to individuality and dissent than any law can ever be.
