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On Liberty cover art

On Liberty

Written by: John Stuart Mill
Narrated by: Gildart Jackson
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Publisher's Summary

First published in 1859, John Stuart Mill's On Liberty is an exhaustive exploration of social and civic liberty, its limits, and its consequences. Mill's work is a classic of political liberalism that contains a rational justification of the freedom of the individual in opposition to the claims of the state. Drawing upon the empiricism of John Locke, George Berkeley, and David Hume, and the utilitarianism of Jeremy Bentham, On Liberty defends the representative democracy as the culmination of society's progression from lower to higher stages, even as it recognizes one of the unique dangers of this type of government - namely, the "tyranny of the majority".

Central to Mill's ideology is the harm principle - the idea that individual liberties should only be curtailed when they harm or interfere with the ability of others to exercise their own liberties. Unlike other liberal theorists, Mill did not rely upon theories of abstract rights to support his ideology, but rather grounded his philosophy in ideas of utility.

As relevant to modern audiences as it was to Mill's Victorian readership, On Liberty is an enduring classic of political thought.
Public Domain (P)2011 Tantor
Philosophy Political Science Americas
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Profile Image for Mike k.

Worth a second listen

As I have ventured through the literature that inspired human freedom, JS Mill is worth paying close attention to. This book could be used as a constitution for a free nation and free people. As all opinions are up for constructive debate, this book clearly should be read and discussed as part of any educational program. The vocabulary can be dense, but the ideology is clear and concise, and leaves no wonder to why JS Mill was an inspiration to the building of western civilization.

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Profile Image for Alex Ogle

Should be required learning in schools

There is so much that is true and so much that invites discussion. This is a foundation work for those who have realised that what Mark and his ilk have and are writing is so much bunkum.

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