John Stuart Mill – On Liberty

In Chapter 3, Of Individuality, as One of the Elements of Well-Being, John Stuart Mill argues that individual liberty must be expressed in order to achieve social progress. He points out that every individual, rich or poor, has talent and potential that when utilized will benefit not only the individual, but society as a whole. Mill compares those who conform and do not utilize their own faculties to apes. Mill believes that thinking for one’s self develops character and the power of individuality produces energy.

Over time, individuality has been suppressed by obedience to the laws and disciplines of society. People have fallen into society’s mold, and no longer make an effort to mold themselves. People have become complacent and suffer from a “deficiency of personal impulses and preferences” (pg. 518). Out of fear of censorship, they no longer make decisions based on what they want or what is best for them, but instead they follow along with whatever is normally done. This is not because they are giving in to what is customary at the expense of their own desires, but is because they no longer have inclinations or desires. Mills states that “peculiarity of taste, eccentricity of conduct, are shunned equally with crimes” and by not following their own nature, people no longer have a nature.

When people apply their own judgments, opinions, and feelings to their circumstances, they are empowered to become the best that they can be. Identifying areas in need of change and devising new ideas and methods paves the way for human enlightenment. If people are too timid to voice their opinions and ideas, how can society benefit from them? People should not settle for mediocrity by letting others do their thinking for them. While they may assert that they are being guided by the wise, the wise are merely individuals themselves, and the beauty is that everyone is capable of “wise and noble things” (pg. 520).

Change should not be for the sake of change, as for example with fashion, but for human progressiveness and betterment. Mill cautions that if Europe continues to govern “their thoughts and conduct by the same maxims and rules” they will become another China where the wisdom of a few is impressed “upon every mind in the community” (page 521). Coercing others into a way of thinking robs people of their own freedom and development. The benefit of individualized thinking is the freedom of pointing one’s own way.