Mill is probably the writer that speaks to me the most of all the writers we have read so far. His writing On Liberty is a powerful piece that is becoming more and more relevant as time goes along. It seems as if political correctness had turned into silencing people who do not agree with the majority, or the current "academic" thought. Mill however argues for the freedom for all people to express their thoughts no matter how unpopular it is.
"If all mankind minus one, were of the opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind." (515)
Mill argues that it is important to respect the opinions of all men, and his words have never been so appropriate. It seems as if we have tried to find ways to supress unpopular opinions instead of evaluating them for their own merit. "There are, it is alleged, certain beliefs, so useful, not to say indispensable to well-being, that it is as much the duty of government to uphold these beliefs, as to protect any other of the interests of society." (516) It is always dangerous when opinions are judged by their usefulness instead of their truth which is what Mill warns against. It is often troubling for me to think about the lack of influence that the poor has because that leads to the tyranny of the majority.
"The majority of the eminent men of every past generation held many opinions now known to be erroneous, and did or approved numerous things which no one will now justify. Why is it then, that there is on the whole a preponderance among mankind of rational opinions and rational conduct." (514)
This was a very interesting passage for me because it made me think about something that I had never really thought about before. At one time it was the majority opinion in this country that women should not have the right to vote in our elections. Luckily we have seen this was a stupid belief but what beliefs of the majority do we have now that we may look back in 50 years and be embarrassed about. I could not really think of something that really stood out but it reminded me that just because something is popular does not make it right. The poor in the time of the Industrial Revolution had no influence over the rapidly expanding world. They were forced to live in poor housing and work in poor conditions. The conditions these people were placed in were inhumane and they did not have any power to fight against it.
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4 comments:
These are some really good ideas you have concerning Mills. I agree with a lot of your ideas about what Mill was saying. For me it basically boiled down to the idea that just because everyone thinks it doesn't make it right, it just makes a lot of people very wrong. I love Mill's ideas on independence and the rights of men, they really remind me about the American revolution's federalist papers. Perhaps he took some of his ideas from there.
Great post! My mind is racing to answer your question-what thoughts do we think and act upon right now that will be looked upon with gall? I think this question is important to ask and Mill would have no doubt agreed, even if he disagreed! The voice of one is just as important as the majority. Sometimes it is one question or opinion or invention that changes the course of history. I think my answer to your question would be confined to that of cancer research and treatment. 50 years from now, people will look back and see how much this particular illness has become an industry! the realization of how inane some of the current practices are will probably be as shocking as "blood-letting," or disallowing women sufferage! Great topic. Better articulation!
-kyle
Jeremy,
Excellent post--this one seems to me to be your most insightful and interesting one yet. Very good engagement with the text, and with Mill's ideas and quotations. Good job--keep up the great improvement.
You were right in saying, "just because something is popular does not make it right." Many people of that time just went by what everyone thought and not actually by what was right. In a sense I think people still do that today. I was happy to read Mill's ideas on the fact that everyone should be equal. I liked your post and agree with your ideas.
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