POLS 2940 Study Guide - Final Guide: The Foundations, Harm Principle

• School: York University
• Department: Political Science
• Course: POLS 2940
• Professor: Sandra Withworth

Document Summary

For mill, the requirement for the opulent and varied development of humanity, which is also his conception of happiness, is the freedom that enables each individual to search and explore his or her own particular path of life . Mills conception of freedom remains essentially utilitarian, constrained only by the boundaries of his harm principle , arguing for the widest application of individual liberty and therefore allowing the greatest measure of happiness to be sought most effectively. Mill"s call for the defense of freedom of self- regarding actions, constrained only by the harm principle , allowing humans to live a fuller life with the most progress that is achievable at that moment. These deviations are believed by mill to show the utility freedom brings as they produce progress in societies by allowing them to constantly seek improvement, which in turn creates happiness across the society in which they reside.