Liberty

John Stuart Mill contends that society functions best when it is built upon a practice of doing no harm:"[T]he sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection. That 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. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant. He cannot rightfully be compelled to do or forbear because it will be better for him to do so, because it will make him happier, because, in the opinion of others, to do so would be wise, or even right. These are good reasons for remonstrating with him, or reasoning with him, or persuading him, or entreating him, but not for compelling him, or visiting him with any evil in case he do otherwise."Do you agree or disagree with Mill that governments have no right to interfere with an individual's liberty unless that individual's behavior will cause harm to someone else? Why?


I agree that our liberties should not be imposed apon unless we will cause harm to someone else. I think we should have the right to live freely within reason. I believe that is what this country was built on. Where would we be without free speech or due process? We would not be the country we are today. I think that the government need to make sure that we are safe and we are taken care of, but our liberties they should leave alone. So in order to sum it up, I agree with what Mr. Miller has said that the government should not interfer.