This new edition of On Liberty is the first to combine John Stuart Mill’s influential work with a set of relevant primary sources by Mill and his contemporaries. Alan Kahan’s introduction provides students with crucial background on nineteenth-century British politics and society; intriguing biographical details about Mill’s early life, intellectual career, and marriage; and thought-provoking discussion of the core issues of autonomy and freedom that On Liberty addresses. The related primary documents — including an excerpt from Mill’s famous proto-feminist treatise On the Subjection of Women — offer useful insights into the philosopher’s intellectual outlook as well as a fascinating view into On Liberty’s rather stormy reception. Excerpts from Mill’s diary and autobiography, contemporary reviews of On Liberty, and appreciations of Mill by his colleagues all deepen students’ understanding of this remarkable work and its equally remarkable author. Headnotes and gloss notes to the documents, a selected bibliography, a chronology …
This new edition of On Liberty is the first to combine John Stuart Mill’s influential work with a set of relevant primary sources by Mill and his contemporaries. Alan Kahan’s introduction provides students with crucial background on nineteenth-century British politics and society; intriguing biographical details about Mill’s early life, intellectual career, and marriage; and thought-provoking discussion of the core issues of autonomy and freedom that On Liberty addresses. The related primary documents — including an excerpt from Mill’s famous proto-feminist treatise On the Subjection of Women — offer useful insights into the philosopher’s intellectual outlook as well as a fascinating view into On Liberty’s rather stormy reception. Excerpts from Mill’s diary and autobiography, contemporary reviews of On Liberty, and appreciations of Mill by his colleagues all deepen students’ understanding of this remarkable work and its equally remarkable author. Headnotes and gloss notes to the documents, a selected bibliography, a chronology of Mill’s life, and a set of questions for consideration offer additional pedagogical support.
Mill makes the case that individual liberties should be as great as possible up until the point where they infringe on other people's liberties. He readily admits that defining exactly where the line is is a difficult task, and ultimately says very little of value except when providing concrete examples. When he does provide his personal opinion, however, it is usually fairly reasonable and does not over simplify things.
