MILL Flashcards
what is the tyranny of the majority?
domination over minorities potentially causing them harm so needing state protection and preveiling of opinions and feelings
what does TOM lead to?
the harm/liberty princple
what is the harm/liberty principle?
restricted powers of intereference from state.
can only intervene to prevent a community member harming another
forms of constraint/punishments
1 violation of others’ rights = punished by law
2 violation of others’ interests = punished by opinion
3 no violation = the affected talk it out themselves
concept of harm?
make distinction of other-regarding and self-regarding actions
why cant damage to interests be state governed?
simple succeeding or being better a a job or task cannot justify limitations on rights
ONLY rights are protected by the princple
how is utility promoted?
protcting rights
individuality?
1 everyone can make mistakes but individuals know what makes them happy
2 individuals should learn to develop own judgement
3 freedom of choice essential to human flourishing
4 human progress achieved in freedom to engage in experiments of living
problem of indiviudality?
should customary morality lose out when it conflicts with liberty principle? ANSWER offences aginst decency should not be allowed
outline freedom of thought
discussion of ideas should always be allowed even if false, no censorship BECAUSE
1 if supressed views are true the truth is lost
2 if false the chance to reaffirm and consider truth view is lost
what is dead dogma?
views that are believed even though the person is unsure why
free discussion benefit?
allows us to hold critically examined views
gives insight as to why we think democracy is the better alternative
limitation and reply form harm
harm -doesn’t utility call for suppression of views if they are harmful and damaging if widely held?
Mill - no, we remain fallible so testing and discussion ideas is important, even if it is false we need to understand challenges to the right one
limitation on freedom of speech?
shouting fire in a crowded theatre causes harm
EG shouting that corn dealers are robbing the poor whilst in a mob outside ones house it harmful
subjection of women:why?
due to no thought of benefit to society
because women through history have been bondaged to men becausde of a ‘physical fact’ it becomes a ‘legal fact’
