University

On Liberty

John Stuart Mill

1859

Batoche Books

Kitchener

2001

Batoche Books Limited

52 Eby Street South

Kitchener, Ontario

N2G 3L1

Canada

email: batoche@gto.net

Contents

Chapter 1: Introductory ...................................................................... 6

Chapter 2: Of the Liberty of Thought and Discussion. .................... 18

Chapter 3: Of Individuality, as one of the Elements of Well-being. . 52

Chapter 4: Of the Limits to the Authority of Society over the Individual. ........................................................................................ 69

Chapter 5: Applications. .................................................................. 86

Notes .............................................................................................. 106

Dedication

The grand, leading principle, towards which every argument unfolded

in these pages directly converges, is the absolute and essential importance of human development in its richest diversity.

Wilhelm von Humboldt: Sphere and Duties of Government.

To the beloved and deplored memory of her who was the inspirer, and in

part the author, of all that is best in my writings- the friend and wife

whose exalted sense of truth and right was my strongest incitement, and

whose approbation was my chief reward—I dedicate this volume. Like

all that I have written for many years, it belongs as much to her as to

me; but the work as it stands has had, in a very insufficient degree, the

inestimable advantage of her revision; some of the most important portions having been reserved for a more careful re-examination, which

they are now never destined to receive. Were I but capable of interpreting to the world one half the great thoughts and noble feelings which are

buried in her grave, I should be the medium of a greater benefit to it,

than is ever likely to arise from anything that I can write, unprompted

and unassisted by her all but unrivalled wisdom....