Applications On Liberty

1 applications

1.1 economy
1.2 preventing harm
1.3 repeat offences public through private action
1.4 encouraging vice
1.5 suicide , divorce
1.6 education
1.7 conclusion

applications

this last chapter applies principles laid out in previous sections. begins summarising these principles:

economy

mill first applies these principles economy. concludes free markets preferable controlled governments. while may seem, because trade social act, government ought intervene in economy, mill argues economies function best when left own devices. therefore, government intervention, though theoretically permissible, counterproductive. later, attacks government-run economies despotic. believes if government ran economy, people aspire part of bureaucracy had no incentive further interests of itself.

preventing harm

next mill investigates in ways person may try prevent harm. first admits person should not wait injury happen, ought try prevent it. second, states agents must consider whether can cause injury can cause injury exclusively. gives example of selling poison. poison can cause harm. however, points out poison can used good. therefore, selling poison permissible. yet, due risk entailed in selling poison or products (e.g. alcohol), sees no danger liberty require warning labels on product. again, mill applies principle. considers right course of action when agent sees person cross condemned bridge without being aware of risk. mill states because agent presumably has interest in not crossing dangerous bridge (i.e. if knew facts concerned crossing bridge, not desire cross bridge), permissible forcibly stop person crossing bridge. qualifies assertion stating that, if means available, better warn unaware person.

with regard taxing deter agents buying dangerous products, makes distinction. states tax solely deter purchases impermissible because prohibiting personal actions impermissible , [e]very increase of cost prohibition, means not come augmented price. however, because government must tax extent in order survive, may choose take taxes deems dangerous.

repeat offences public through private action

mill expands upon principle of punishing consequences rather personal action. argues person empirically prone act violently (i.e. harm society) drunkenness (i.e. personal act) should uniquely restricted drinking. further stipulates repeat offenders should punished more first time offenders.

encouraging vice

on subject of fornication , gambling, mill has no conclusive answer, stating, [t]here arguments on both sides. suggests while actions might tolerated in private, promoting actions (i.e. being pimp or keeping gambling house) should not permitted. reaches similar conclusion acts of indecency, concluding public indecency condemnable.

suicide , divorce

mill continues addressing question of social interference in suicide. states purpose of liberty allow person pursue interest. therefore, when person intends terminate ability have interests permissible society step in. in other words, person not have freedom surrender freedom. question of divorce, mill argues marriages 1 of important structures within society; however, if couple mutually agrees terminate marriage, permitted because society has no grounds intervene in such personal contract.

education

mill believes government run education evil because destroy diversity of opinion people taught curriculum developed few. less evil version of state run schooling, according mill, competes against other privately run schools. in contrast, mill believes governments ought require , fund private education. states should enforce mandatory education through minor fines , annual standardised testing tested uncontroversial fact. goes on emphasise importance of diverse education teaches opposing views (e.g. kant , locke). concludes stating legitimate states forbid marriages unless couple can prove have means of supporting family through education , other basic necessities.

conclusion

j.s. mill concludes stating 3 general reasons object governmental interference:

he summarises thesis, stating:

the worth of state, in long run, worth of individuals composing it; , state postpones interests of mental expansion , elevation little more of administrative skill, or of semblance of practice gives, in details of business; state dwarfs men, in order may more docile instruments in hands beneficial purposes—will find small men no great thing can accomplished; , perfection of machinery has sacrificed in end avail nothing, want of vital power which, in order machine might work more smoothly, has preferred banish.