Authors and thinkers
Author

John Stuart Mill

12 key ideas across 2 books, each explained in our own words.

On Liberty

  1. IDEA 1

    The harm principle

    The only justification for limiting a person's freedom is to prevent harm to others. Their own good is not enough.

  2. IDEA 2

    Let opinions collide

    Silencing an opinion is wrong even if it's false. If it's true, we lose truth; if false, we lose the clearer understanding that comes from defeating it.

  3. IDEA 3

    Tyranny of the majority

    Social pressure and public opinion can be as oppressive as unjust laws.

All 6 ideas from On Liberty →

Utilitarianism

  1. IDEA 1

    Greatest happiness principle

    Actions are right to the degree they promote happiness and wrong to the degree they produce suffering.

  2. IDEA 2

    Higher pleasures count more

    Pleasures of the mind outweigh bodily pleasures. Better a dissatisfied Socrates than a satisfied fool.

  3. IDEA 3

    Everyone counts equally

    Each person's happiness counts the same as anyone else's, including your own.

All 6 ideas from Utilitarianism →

Debates featuring John Stuart Mill

Should anyone steer your choices?Smart nudges help vs Liberty and skin in the gameHow much freedom should be given up for security?Order first vs Liberty firstDo good ends justify questionable means?Results matter most vs Means shape endsIs social media good for democracy?It gives everyone a voice vs It fractures the public sphereShould citizens' duties matter as much as their rights?Rights are the core vs Duties sustain rightsShould the state be able to access citizens' data for security?Security needs data vs Privacy is a rightShould the press be regulated?Self-regulation vs Accountability needed

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