According to Thomas Jefferson, “Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual” (CITE). When considering a democratic society, one must acknowledge what the highest value of a society is where persons are able to openly voice their opinions and exercise their rights, without the restriction of being oppressed. Many may argue that justice, truth or general accord may be the most important aspect of a democratic society, but John Stuart Mill presents the concept of liberty, which is arguably the highest value of a democratic
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John Stuart Mill had one main argument which he identified in his essay of liberty, the liberty principle, also known as the harm principle. Mill began by identifying the difference between harm and a mere offence. Mill did not believe in the view that every wrong action was considered to be harmful. He presented the argument that some offenses are simply minor, not necessarily causing any harm. For example, a junior who takes their parents car without their parents’ permission, would be an action that is considered harmless wrongdoing because it isn’t causing any harm to society. According to Mill an action is only considered harmful when the action impairs the overall well being of individuals amongst society, not just oneself. He goes on to say that an individuals own good either physical or moral is not enough reason to exercise power over an individual, even if they may be harming themselves, which is what leads Mill to identify the fact that a democracy is dangerous. Mill states that a democracy is the best form of government, however, it contains many dangers. Mill argues that even in democratic forms of government, we need to establish certain limits on the power of the state because democracy is not the rule of all people but the rule of a majority, which usually tends to oppress the minority, leading to the formation of his harm principle. The harm principle identifies the issue that when an individuals’ actions does not pose a threat to the public or harm anyone else, then there is no justification for the interference of the state, it is only when an action imposes upon others safety that
John Stuart Mill had one main argument which he identified in his essay of liberty, the liberty principle, also known as the harm principle. Mill began by identifying the difference between harm and a mere offence. Mill did not believe in the view that every wrong action was considered to be harmful. He presented the argument that some offenses are simply minor, not necessarily causing any harm. For example, a junior who takes their parents car without their parents’ permission, would be an action that is considered harmless wrongdoing because it isn’t causing any harm to society. According to Mill an action is only considered harmful when the action impairs the overall well being of individuals amongst society, not just oneself. He goes on to say that an individuals own good either physical or moral is not enough reason to exercise power over an individual, even if they may be harming themselves, which is what leads Mill to identify the fact that a democracy is dangerous. Mill states that a democracy is the best form of government, however, it contains many dangers. Mill argues that even in democratic forms of government, we need to establish certain limits on the power of the state because democracy is not the rule of all people but the rule of a majority, which usually tends to oppress the minority, leading to the formation of his harm principle. The harm principle identifies the issue that when an individuals’ actions does not pose a threat to the public or harm anyone else, then there is no justification for the interference of the state, it is only when an action imposes upon others safety that