John Stuart Mill and freedom of expression
This thesis challenges traditional interpretations of John Stuart Mill's theory of freedom of expression, as exemplified in On Liberty (1859), by way of an examination of his other publications and correspondence. The first section outlines the evidence for the influences exerted on him during his youth, and examines his writings prior to 1859. His father's writings on the liberty of the press provide a framework within which to interpret Mill's earliest work on the same topic. Charges that Mill subsequently abandoned support for this perspective are examined and dismissed, while the importance of the influence of Samuel Taylor Coleridge is highlighted. The role of Mill's wife in the formation and articulation of his mature ideas on individuality and liberty is emphasised. On Liberty itself is the subject of the second section. Mill's knowledge of criticisms by reviewers is used as a base from which to examine his defence of freedom of thought and discussion. The priority of the right to hear over the right to express opinions is clarified, and the essential anti-paternalism of Mill's defence is identified. The importance afforded to James Fitzjames Stephen's refutation of Mill is questioned, and historical
O'Rourke, Kevin Charles
Liberty
John Stuart Mill and freedom of expression. This thesis challenges traditional interpretations of John Stuart Mill's theory of freedom of expression, as exemplified in On Liberty (1859), by way of an examination of his other publications and correspondence. The first section outlines the evidence for the influences exerted on him during his youth, and examines his writings prior to 1859. His father's writings on the liberty of the press provide a framework within which to interpret Mill's earliest work on the same topic. Charges that Mill subsequently abandoned support for this perspective are examined and dismissed, while the importance of the influence of Samuel Taylor Coleridge is highlighted. The role of Mill's wife in the formation and articulation of his mature ideas on individuality and liberty is emphasised. On Liberty itself is the subject of the second section. Mill's knowledge of criticisms by reviewers is used as a base from which to examine his defence of freedom of thought and discussion. The priority of the right to hear over the right to express opinions is clarified, and the essential anti-paternalism of Mill's defence is identified. The importance afforded to James Fitzjames Stephen's refutation of Mill is questioned, and historical
john_stuart_mill freedom expression challenge_traditional interpretation john_stuart_mill theory freedom expression exemplify liberty way examination publication correspondence first_section outline evidence influence_exert youth examine writing prior father writing liberty press provide_framework within interpret mill early_work topic mill subsequently abandon support perspective examine dismiss importance influence taylor coleridge highlight role mill wife formation articulation mature idea individuality liberty emphasise liberty subject second_section mill knowledge criticism use base examine defence freedom think discussion priority right hear right express opinion clarify essential anti paternalism mill defence identify importance afford james refutation mill question historical