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On Liberty by John Stuart Mill

On Liberty

John Stuart Mill1859

Philosophy
OutlineEssential Cut available

The Thesis

“The object of this Essay is to assert one very simple principle, as entitled to govern absolutely the dealings of society with the individual in the way of compulsion and control, whether the means used be physical force in the form of legal penalties, or the moral coercion of public opinion.”

— John Stuart Mill

Contents

  1. 1On Liberty. By John Stuart Mill.181 w
  2. 2INTRODUCTION. I.788 w
  3. 3II.2,162 w
  4. 4III.1,123 w
  5. 5CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY.5,601 w
  6. 6CHAPTER II. OF THE LIBERTY OF THOUGHT AND DISCUSSION.16,678 w
  7. 7CHAPTER III. OF INDIVIDUALITY, AS ONE OF THE ELEMENTS OF WELL-BEING.8,121 w
  8. 8CHAPTER IV. OF THE LIMITS TO THE AUTHORITY OF SOCIETY OVER THE INDIVIDUAL.7,999 w
  9. 9CHAPTER V. APPLICATIONS.9,338 w

On Liberty — John Stuart Mill · first published 1859

Source edition: Walter Scott Publishing Co., Ltd., London (no year on title page)

Public-domain text · ref #34901