Individual Liberty

John Stuarts Mills Theory of Individual liberty remains valid because it's uses a utilitarian framework in defining the principles of liberty. His Theory of individual liberty affirms non-conformity as beneficial to society, the harm principle gives a general guideline to the expression of freedom and it's limits, the utility of freedom is progressive in nature, thus must not be limited if society is to progress. In this utilitarian framework, he enforces the protection of individual liberty. In both cases it affirms the protection of the individual from his self and simultaneously prevents tyranny of majority opinion.

His theory of individual liberty affirms non-conformity as beneficial to society and the individual.

Mills correctly identifies that non-conforming is merely an exercise of one's freedom. His freedom to non-conformity must be protected because of it's very utility. To not be allowed to not conform to the status quo, one's freedom is infringed upon.

One's non-conformity utility value is in it's expression, thus not being able to express this living society invariably loses its benefit. Mills speaks of this benefit as the dissemination of different ideas and differing beliefs by which progresses the society forward. Doing so challenges the majority of opinion. Mills states “History teems with instances of truth put down by persecution. If not suppressed for ever, it may be thrown back for centuries.(Pp 36-37 On Liberty)” His theory of individual liberty remains valid because he identifies the value individual opinion over majority opinion. Like with non-conformity, typically it's persecuted by the society. These truths are then denied and the utility value is the expression of that freedom to the benefit of society. Doing so allows for greater happiness and progressive improvement to society that benefits all. The inherent value of utility to the society, is allowing for different experiments of living. Doing so allows the propagation of different ways of doing things different form the status quo. John Grays states in On Liberty,Utility, And Rights. “For, unless

liberty and utility are one and the same, or liberty is given an infinite weight....Any utilitarian defensible principle about the restriction of liberty must be an application of the principle of utility itself.(Pg. 89)” Mills uses the principle of utility itself to affirm the importance of freedom. Non-conformists utility value is there progressive ability to society. Mills says “In this age, the mere example of non-conformity, the mere refusal to bend the knee to custom, is itself a service...because the tyranny of opinion..in order to break through that tyranny.(On Liberty. Pg 83.)” This progressive ability promotes difference of opinion. In effect they are progressive because they presuppose differences to the status quo. Then by extension the individual who is a non-conformist acts on the utility of his freedom. Should the society seek to suppress these different expressions of freedom. By punishing the non-conformists, there remains higher probability of majority opinion. This invariably leads to stagnation. Thus his theory remains valid because his theory accounts for inherent utility of freedom in everyday actions
The harm principle uses a utilitarian framework that gives a general conduct on freedom and limits. It allows for the individual to pursue his freedom insofar as it's safe. Mills creates the harm principle by merging freedom with the principle of utility itself. Effectively speaking liberty can only be limited by power when it causes harm. Mills says “ The only freedom which deserves the name, is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs, or impede their efforts to obtain it.(Pg 19,On Liberty).” Thus I argue he uses, a contrasting principle of utilitarianism to create a conduct of limits . The harm principle seeks to maximize freedom while minimizing harm to another. This contrasts well with the happiness principle, by acting to maximize happiness for the greatest number while minimizing suffering. Finally he defines the utility of harm, when one's freedom extends to deprive another to exercise his way.
The Harm principle appropriates a general standard by which a person is allowed to be free. Robert. H. Hoag explains in Happiness and Freedom: Recent Work on John Stuart Mill “ Thus, on Mill's view, pleasures, virtue, money, fame, individuality, and power can be desired or desirable both as ends and as means to happiness, both as parts of and in relation to happiness.(Pg 6)” This quote shows the utilitarian framework by which Mills develop the harm principle. Any man can exercise the utility of their freedom,such as the pursuit of pleasure, virtue, and money. For these pursuits have appropriate utility because they must be exercised. They can only be limited only when harm should come to others who might be effected in exercising their freedom. The harm principle appropriates the use of power in limiting freedom when it should cause harm. One can what he wants when he wants within reason. The harm that should come to another is recognized as a threat to their utility and liberty. He places key importance on the expression of liberty, which by extension leads to happiness. Mills says “We can never be sure that the opinion we are endeavoring to stifle is a false opinion; and if we were sure, stifling it would be an evil still.(On Liberty Pg. 24) He implicates that we have no right to mitigate any opinion nor any expression of freedom. We must allow men to express themselves in all fashions irrespective of judgment. We mustn't censor liberty like opinion because we are never sure of it's value. To assume anything is disingenuous because men are fallible. Precisely because mans judgment is fallible they reserve no right to limit freedom. His theory of individual must be valid because identifies the fallibility of men, yet correctly ascertains the conditions by which liberty can be limited. The harm principle allows fallible men to make judgment calls when their liberty should harmed. In no other scenario should a man's utility of liberty be limited because outside of the harm principle it isn't knowable.

The utility of freedom's progressive nature mustn't be limited for society to progress. Effectively speaking mills believes that man is progressive. One needs to be free so their can be many experiments to living. Mills says “yet of which most people first truly learn the meaning when experience..there are many truths of which the full meaning cannot be realized until personal experience has brought it home.”(On Liberty Pg 53-54). The utility of experience is progressive. Freedom is to express the desire to experience. To experience and to share to another has utility value. This information is then disseminated to the status quo. The status quo progresses as it's utility value is recognized. Mills merges utilitarianism with freedom by defining it within a principle of utility. The utility of freedom is it's utility of progressiveness. This utility within freedom, is that freedom expresses information. While the opposite is conformity and the inhibition of information. I argue that mills theory of individual liberty is valid because it acknowledges the inherent worth of freedom. (MILLS QUOTE/OR another)

Society can constantly change for as long as that utility of information flows.

A conformist society leads to societal stagnation. The exercise of liberty of every individual from genius to buffoon is progresses society. Lanny Ebenstein states in Mill's Theory of Utility “ if we truly love our neighbors as ourselves, then there is nothing we can do more for them than to give our lives for them. Also, though, if we truly love our neighbors as ourselves, then nothing will give us greater pleasure than making such a sacrifice.(Pg.6)” What I believe affirms his theory of individual liberty most is appropriating the tolerability we one another. This quote supports my claim indirectly, a man who sacrifices himself for the happiness of another recognizes the value of his happiness. Mills makes this connection by extending it through the expression of the progression of liberty. Their exists a reciprocity by which society and the individual benefit. Society tolerates the expressiveness of liberty because it recognizes its benefit to itself. Mills says “ If the opinion is right, they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth: if wrong, they lose, what is almost as great a benefit.(Pg 24. On Liberty) The progressive nature that pushes society forward is it's utility principle. With access to these uninhibited expressions of freedom, opinions freely flow, cultures expressed and ideas exchanged. The society then is able to discern what is of use and

what isn't. Doing so changes the norms of the society as a result. This quote indicates the reciprocity nature of the freedom of utility and there interwoven connection. In conclusion, Mills Theory of individual liberty remains valid because, he demonstrates the harm principle, defines non-conformity as a form of utility value, and defines freedom as progressive.