Compare John Stuart Mill idea of Liberty with John Locke

JL, Wrington, Bristol

JSM, Pentoville, London

IntroductionJohn Locke John Stuart Mill

Born England 29 August 1632.

Born London on 20th May 1806.

England began to stumble towards its epic Constutional crisis.

London began to stumble towards its in all knowledge (positivisme).

He fear expressed by fellow Englishman Thomas Hobbes “Leviathan” (1651) become the gospel of absolutism.

He was especially impressed by the work of Jeremy Bentham.” Introduction to the Principles of Morals & Legislation (1789).

Famous work “Two treaties of Government”, “Some Thoughts concerning education”.

Famous work “On Liberty”

Comparison on WomenJohn Locke John Stuart Mill

Mentions about education for women in his book “Some thoughts concerning education”.

Book “The subjection of Women” (1869).

Women are not property, women still retain power over children in the absence of the father.

He said women was one of the few remaining relics from ancient times, a set prejudices that severely impeded the progress of humanity.

Education was fundamentally the same for men & women.

Mill depends the emancipation of women on Utilitarian grounds.

Freedom of Speech & Censorship

John Locke John Stuart Mill

Opposed restrictions on an absolute right to freespeech.

JSM observe that liberty can be divided into three type, each of which must be recognized and respected by any free society1) Is the liberty of though and

opinion

2) Tastes and pursuits, or the freedom to plan our own lives

3) Join other like minded individuals for a common purpose that does not hurt anyone

The end of law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom.

Freedom of Speech & Censorship

John Locke John Stuart Mill

Freedom of speech is required for liberty because without the freedom of speech, you can not persuade others of what is right and what is wrong. Without the freedom to persuade others, only force can make people act in a particular way.

Against censorship & supported Freedom of Speech.

JSM define dissent as the freedom of the individual to hold and articulate unpopular views

Comparison on Slavery“If a person is a slave then that person is under the absolute, arbitrary power of another, to take away his life, when he pleases.” - John Locke

Individual Rights & Limited Government

John Locke John Stuart Mill

Believes that men should be virtually unrestricted and free in political society.

Believes in limited government intervention in society.

Individual rights will only be protected with limited government, not strong government.

Supported government intervention when such intervention are for greater good.

Locke believes that The state for all intents and purposes is designed to serve the individual and provide a free and unrestricted environment in which man who is naturally free may prosper and own property.

Mills believe that the purpose of the state is to facilitate a beneficial two way relationship between individual and the community.

John Locke John Stuart MillDefends the principle of Majority

RulesDanger of Tyranny of Majority

Individual surrender their rights to form majority (social contract)

Tyranny of Majority is worst than other Tyranny

Majority have the right to act for the whole community

If you can control the majority, then you can control everyone

Whatever the distribution of power, the majority of

community has the final say

Majority opinion may not be the correct opinion

Government is formed by majority decision, & can be

dissolved by majority decision

Majority denies liberty to individuals

Comparison on Majority

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