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On Liberty

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( 42,218 ratings, 1,695 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
On Liberty by John Stuart Mill explores the concept of individual freedom and its limits in society. Mill argues for the protection of personal liberty against societal and governmental interference, advocating for freedom of expression and action as long as they do not harm others. The book is a foundational text in discussing the balance between authority and personal freedoms in a civilised society.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're interested in exploring the balance between individual freedom and societal control. John Stuart Mill's work is a classic in the realm of political philosophy, offering a thoughtful discussion on liberty, authority, and the importance of personal autonomy in the face of social pressures.

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On Liberty

'Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign'. This title includes an essay that dedicated to this 'one very simple principle'. It records responses to the author's books and comments on his fear of 'the tyranny of the majority'.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

"Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign." To this "one very simple principle" the whole of Mill's essay On Liberty is dedicated.

While many of his immediate predecessors and contemporaries, from Adam Smith to Godwin and Thoreau, had celebrated liberty, it was Mill who organised the idea into a philosophy, and put it into the form in which it is generally known today.

The editor of this essay, Gertrude Himmelfarb, records responses to Mill's books and comments on his fear of "the tyranny of the majority." Dr Himmelfarb concludes that the same inconsistencies which underlie On Liberty continue to complicate the moral and political stance of liberals today.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

On Liberty by John Stuart Mill is celebrated for its profound exploration of individual freedom and its defence of personal autonomy against societal oppression. Critics often highlight Mill’s eloquent writing and analytical depth, praising his arguments for free speech and liberty as relevant across generations. Though some reviewers note its dense philosophical style, they generally acknowledge its enduring influence on liberal political thought.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780140432077

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 27 May 1982

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Contributors:

  • Edited by Gertrude Himmelfarb
  • Introduction by Gertrude Himmelfarb

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 10.0mm

Width: 131.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 150g

Pages: 192

About the Author

John Stuart Mill was born in London in 1806. He became a leading philosophical radical, active as a propagandist in their intellectual and reforming pursuits. In 1826, he began to rethink his stance and examine alternative positions offered by Coleridge and Carlyle. By the 1840's Mill could offer a mature reinterpretation of his philosophical position. Gertrude Himmelfarb is Professor of History at the City University of New York and a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

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