On Liberty

As the title indicates, liberty is the central topic of concern in this essay. How does Mill define liberty? Are there different types of liberty? Would you amend Mill’s definition of liberty to include anything else you consider part of your own definition of liberty? Would you exclude any topics that Mill did consider in your own definition of liberty?

Mill offers commentary on the nature of government and on different systems of rule. He ultimately advocates a particular type of government. What does Mill’s ideal government look like? How does it function? Would you want to live in a society with Mill’s prescribed system?

Mill’s political philosophies make basic assumptions about the nature of humankind. What assumptions do you think are most foundational to his ideas? With which assumptions might critics of Mill take the most issue?