PHILOS 1B03 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: John Stuart Mill, Morality, Paternalism
26 Jan 2015
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John stuart mill, 1806-1873: british philosopher, economist, moral and political theorist, arguably the most influential english-speaking philosopher of the nineteenth century, one of the founders of modern liberalism, vigorous defender of women"s rights. Major works: system of logic (1843, on liberty (1859, consideration on representative government (1861, utilitarianism (1861, the subjection of women (1869) On liberty (1859: objective: to investigate, the nature and limits of the power which can be legitimately exercised by society over the individual (306) Why important to investigate: because, all that makes existence valuable to any one, depends on the enforcement of restraints upon the actions of other people. (309) Conclusion: some degree of restraint on individual conduct necessary for minimally decent, let alone fulfilling, lives. The limits of liberty: law threat of physical coercion motivates compliance. 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.
