Political Science 1020E Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: On Liberty, Harm Principle, Paternalism
20 Oct 2017
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Document Summary
The nature and limits of the power which can be legitimately exercised by society over the individual . The need to restrict both state and society (public opinion) in their ability to shape beliefs and conduct) Mill o ers a brief history of the idea of liberty. Four stages in the history of relations between individuals and authority. Throughout this history, the meanings of liberty and tyranny have changed. Liberty means protection of society against the tyranny of political rulers. The protections are political rights and constitutional checks. Rulers are the ruled, so (it was thought) there is no need to limit government power. Recognition that political majority can be tyrannical over the minority. Liberty is democratic government with protection for minorities. For mill, this is the problem we need to address. Threat of social tyranny: the tyranny of prevailing opinion and feeling. It is never justi able to silence an opinion, whether it is true or false.
