In his much quoted, seminal work, On Liberty, John Stuart Mill attempts to establish standards for the relationship between authority and liberty. He emphasizes the importance of individuality which he conceived as a prerequisite to the higher pleasures-the summum bonum of Utilitarianism. Published in 1859, On Liberty presents one of the most eloquent defenses of individual freedom and is perhaps the most widely-read liberal argument in support of the value of liberty.

A wonderful edition... -- Irving Louis Horowitz, Rutgers UniversityAlexander should be commended for making this invaluable material accessible to scholars and students... -- Maria H. Moralies, Florida State UniversityAn impressively compact and engaging introduction and a well-chosen selection of ancillary materials... -- Eileen Gillooly, Columbia UniversityThe introduction offers fresh insights... --Thomas Christiano, University of Arizona

This volume of essays covers the whole range of problems raised in and by Mill's On Liberty, including the concept of liberty, the toleration of diversity, freedom of expression, the value of allowing 'experiments in living', the basis of individual liberty, multiculturalism and the claims of minority cultural groups.

John Stuart Mill’s masterwork: A meditation on the relationship between the individual and society One of the foremost thinkers of his age, John Stuart Mill was a steadfast advocate of individual freedom. This groundbreaking work explores the relationship between freedom and authority, between the citizen and the state, applying Mill’s concept of utilitarianism to the philosophy of governance. Individual liberties, Mill argues, are threatened by the very concept of democracy, which is continually at risk of veering into tyranny. Mill outlines the basic liberties to which individuals are entitled as well as the dangers of governmental intervention. An enduring classic of political philosophy, On Liberty remains as relevant to government today as it was upon its first publication. A true cornerstone of liberalism, Mill’s treatise is a powerful argument for individuality.

Presents excerpts from and notes about "On Liberty," written in 1859 by English philosopher and economist John Stuart Mill (1806-1873), provided online by Paul Brians. Notes that the treatise argues that a danger with democracy is that the majority may deny liberty to individuals.

Part of the "Longman Library of Primary Sources in Philosophy," this edition of "Mill's On Liberty" is framed by a pedagogical structure designed to make this important work of philosophy more accessible and meaningful for readers. A General Introduction includes biographical information on Mill, the work's historical context, and a discussion of historical influences. Annotations and notes from the editor clarify difficult passages for greater understanding. A bibliography gives the reader additional resources for further study.