On Liberty

John Stuart Mill, 1859

Ideas that changed the world

John Stuart Mill examines the limits of society's authority over individual thought, expression and conduct.

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Length: 5 chapters
Reading time: About 3 hr 16 min
Words: 46,565

About the book

Mill begins by separating his subject from the philosophical question of free will. His concern is civil liberty: how far a community may legitimately direct the lives of its members. Government is only part of the problem, since accepted opinion can also exercise pressure.

The essay develops its argument through distinctions, objections and practical examples rather than a narrative. Its discussion of freedom of thought asks readers to consider the value of hearing an opposing view. The central interest lies in deciding when disagreement becomes a reason for restraint, and when it does not.

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Ideas that changed the world

This edition

Text from Standard Ebooks, who proofread and typeset it and dedicate their edition to the public domain. John Stuart Mill died more than 70 years ago, so the work is out of copyright in the UK. Includes the original introduction, dedication, epigraph.