The Harm Principle
In 1859, the English philosopher John Stuart Mill published a famous book called On Liberty. In this book, he asked a very important question: when is it right for society or the government to limit a person’s freedom? Mill wanted a clear rule to answer this question.
Mill says that people sometimes try to control others “for their own good.” For example, they may think that a certain behavior is unhealthy, unwise, or morally wrong. They might want to use laws or strong social pressure to stop that behavior. But Mill argues that this is not a good enough reason to take away someone’s liberty. He believes that adults should be free to make their own choices about their lives, even if other people think those choices are foolish.
Mill gives a clear rule, which is often called the harm principle. He says that the only reason to use power against someone—either by law or by strong public pressure—is to prevent harm to others. A person should not be forced or punished just to make them healthier, or happier, or more moral. These can be good reasons to talk to them, advise them, or try to persuade them, but not to control them by force.
According to Mill, each person is the ruler, or sovereign, of his or her own “body and mind.” This means that the part of a person’s life that only affects themselves should be free from social control. Society may judge or limit a person’s actions only when those actions seriously affect other people. He makes an exception for children and people who cannot yet take care of themselves. They need more protection, including protection from their own mistakes.
Mill also worries about the “tyranny of the majority.” Even in a democracy, the majority can become a kind of ruler that is too strong. The majority’s opinions and customs can push everyone to think and act the same way. This social pressure can be as dangerous as a strict king or dictator because it kills individuality and stops people from living differently.
For Mill, real progress in society depends on freedom of thought and “experiments in living.” People must be allowed to try different ways of life, as long as they do not harm others. This diversity helps us discover better ideas and ways of living. When people are free, they can learn from both their successes and their mistakes. In this way, liberty is not only good for individuals, but also for the improvement of the whole society.
Vocabulary List
- liberty — Freedom to act and think without unfair control.
- principle — A basic rule or idea that guides behavior or decisions.
- harm — Physical or moral injury; something that hurts someone.
- sovereign — Having the highest power or authority over something.
- tyranny — Cruel or unfair use of power.
- majority — More than half of a group of people.
- public opinion — What most people in a society think about something.
- individuality — The qualities that make one person different from others.
- coercion — Forcing someone to do something by using power or threats.
- experiment in living — Trying a different way of life or behavior to see how it works.
Comprehension Questions
- What is Mill’s main question in On Liberty?
- How does Mill’s harm principle limit the use of power over individuals?
- In which part of a person’s life does Mill say their freedom should be “absolute”?
- What does Mill mean by the “tyranny of the majority,” and why is it dangerous?
- Why does Mill think that “experiments in living” and diversity are important for society?