The Importance of Individual Liberty and Equality in On Liberty and The Subjection of Women
1. Introduction
The books On Liberty and The Subjection of Women have explicitly emphasized appreciating every member of society no matter the situation without any instance of discrimination. Both the books were authored by John Stuart Mill who was a British philosopher, civil servant and a political economist. In On Liberty, John Stuart Mill has mainly focused on the liberty of individuals as he believed that it is essential for the progress and betterment of civilization (Mill, What is Liberty and Other Essays). According to him, the main aim of civilization is to increase the number of individuals with developed faculties and decrease the number of undeveloped individuals. He believed that “the sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection” (Mill, On Liberty). In other words, individuals should be allowed to do whatever they like as long as their actions don’t harm others.
In The Subjection of Women, John Stuart Mill has argued that women should not be subjected to men in any way as it hampers their development and confines them within the domestic sphere only. He has stated that “the legal subordination of one sex to the other – so far as it exists at all – is wrong itself, and now one of the chief hindrances to human improvement; and that it ought to be replaced by a principle of perfect equality, admitting no power or privilege on the one side, nor disability on the other” (Mill, The Subjection of Women). He has further said that cherishing women and allowing them to stand side by side with men in all aspects would result in great benefits for both men and women as well as for society as a whole.
2. On Liberty by John Stuart Mill
On Liberty is a highly influential work which was published in 1859. In this book, John Stuart Mill has put forward his views on individual liberty and its importance for both individuals and society. He has starts by stating that “the general tendency of things throughout the world is to render mediocrity the general condition” (Mill, On Liberty). He has further said that this tendency can only be countered by allowing individual liberty as it gives people the opportunity to develop their faculties and talents to the fullest extent possible. According to him, this is essential for both individuals and society as it leads to progress and betterment.
John Stuart Mill has then gone on to discuss the different forms of tyranny which can be seen in different societies. He has stated that there is “social tyranny” which “involves nothing worse than an interference with personal liberty; an infringement or abridgment of such rights as belong to every one in virtue of his being a human being” (Mill, On Liberty). This form of tyranny is often seen in traditional societies where women are not given equal rights as men or where people belonging to certain castes or classes are discriminated against. John Stuart Mill has also talked about “despotic tyranny” which “adds greatly to social tyranny by invoking actual physical coercion” (Mill, On Liberty). This form of tyranny is often seen in authoritarian regimes where people are not allowed to freely express their opinions or live their lives according to their own wishes.
John Stuart Mill has then put forward his argument in favor of individual liberty. He has stated that “the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others” (Mill, On Liberty). In other words, individuals should be allowed to do whatever they like as long as their actions don’t harm others. John Stuart Mill has further said that “over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign” (Mill, On Liberty). This means that each individual has the right to live their life according to their own wishes and desires as long as they are not harming others.
3. The Subjection of Women by John Stuart Mill
The Subjection of Women is a highly influential work which was published in 1869. In this book, John Stuart Mill has put forward his views on the equality of men and women. He has starts by stating that “the legal subordination of one sex to the other – so far as it exists at all – is wrong itself, and now one of the chief hindrances to human improvement; and that it ought to be replaced by a principle of perfect equality, admitting no power or privilege on the one side, nor disability on the other” (Mill, The Subjection of Women). In other words, women should not be subjected to men in any way as it hampers their development and confines them within the domestic sphere only.
John Stuart Mill has then gone on to discuss the different forms of tyranny which can be seen in different societies. He has stated that there is “social tyranny” which “involves nothing worse than an interference with personal liberty; an infringement or abridgment of such rights as belong to every one in virtue of his being a human being” (Mill, The Subjection of Women). This form of tyranny is often seen in traditional societies where women are not given equal rights as men or where people belonging to certain castes or classes are discriminated against. John Stuart Mill has also talked about “despotic tyranny” which “adds greatly to social tyranny by invoking actual physical coercion” (Mill, The Subjection of Women). This form of tyranny is often seen in authoritarian regimes where people are not allowed to freely express their opinions or live their lives according to their own wishes.
John Stuart Mill has then put forward his argument in favor of equality between men and women. He has stated that “the legal subordination of one sex to the other is wrong itself, and now one of the chief hindrances to human improvement” (Mill, The Subjection of Women). In other words, women should not be subjected to men in any way as it hampers their development and confines them within the domestic sphere only. John Stuart Mill has further said that cherishing women and allowing them to stand side by side with men in all aspects would result in great benefits for both men and women as well as for society as a whole.
4. Conclusion
In conclusion, it can be said that both On Liberty and The Subjection of Women are highly influential works which emphasize the importance of individual liberty and equality respectively. These concepts are essential for both individuals and society as they lead to progress and betterment.