Analysis Of The Second Treatise Of Government By John Stuart Mill

Words: 1373
Pages: 6
Open Document
Chapter II of On Liberty, John Stuart Mill forms a strong argument for any limitation on the liberty of thought and discussion. Mill argues that “If all mankind minus one, were of the opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind” (Mill, p.14). In The Second Treatise of Government by John Locke, Locke argues for the aims of government and the proper extent of government’s legislative power. By doing so Locke indirectly disagrees with Mills views on free speech. Mill argues in Chapter II of On Liberty, for free speech. He believes no man should ever silence the opinion of another man. Mill states, …show more content…
His response explains it is not your best judgment until you’ve responded to all dissent, you cannot silence dissent then make your own argument. An argument needs objection to further enhance the argument and without objection the person is assuming his or her own infallibility. Mill argues that people must be open to criticism, “Judgment is given to men that they may use it” (Mill p.15). Individuals will benefit from criticism and hearing arguments from another opinion. In fact, criticism will make whomevers arguing better arguers. Mill describes a man who has sought for objections and difficulties instead of avoiding them has the right to think his judgment better than any other person because he was open to criticism (Mill p.17). The second part of Mills argument in Chapter II discusses the issue with closed debate, even if the opinion is true. Leaving out discussion is harmful to not only mankind but to the argument itself. Arguments may lose its meaning and purpose if discussion is left out “… not only the grounds of the opinion are forgotten in the absence of discussion but too often the meaning of the opinion itself” (Mill p.28). Following, if a person has a strong opinion or argument that they believe is to be true, but admit that it could be false causes a dead dogma. If the truth has never been discussed, and people do not fully …show more content…
131, Locke provides a legislation or “supreme power” over the commonwealth society. The legislation makes the commonwealth obey a set of laws, establish a judicial power to settle disputes and arguments and have an executive power to enforce the law. Giving up all of these rights individuals had previously in the state of nature, individuals are giving up freedom of speech. People no longer have a direct and personal say in the set of laws they make, how to settle a dispute or how the executive power enforces the law. Locke decides to discuss taxes, “It is true, governments cannot be supported without great charge, and it is fit everyone who enjoys his share of the protection, should pay out of his estate his proportion for the maintenance of it” charging for property which was once a natural law would go against the state of nature or for this argument Mill’s view on freedom of speech (Locke, Sect. 140). An obvious issue is seen within this section. The consent of an individual becomes the consent of the majority, “But still it must be with his own consent, i.e. the consent of the majority, giving it either by themselves, or their representatives chosen by them” (Locke, Sect. 140). Correlating, taxing with the consent of the individual soon becomes being taxed with the consent of the majority, which may not have the same opinion as you. Even if you disagree with taxation you will still be taxed for your property because of the majority. This poses an issue because
Show More

Related Documents: Analysis Of The Second Treatise Of Government By John Stuart Mill

Constitutional Right to Privacy and the Us Patriot Act Essays

little if any protection by or from the government. Of course our government is hard at work to modernize the form of weeding out the unsanitary to which some cenacles might call censorship. But the main question still stands, do we have a right to privacy and is the government violating our natural freedoms, or do we need someone to monitor the actions of our society to keep order. The question is as old as government; to what extent should the government influence our lives. When you…

Words 4852 - Pages 20

Rethinking Mercantalism Essay

Rethinking Mercantilism: Political Economy, the British Empire, and the Atlantic World in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries Author(s): Steve Pincus Reviewed work(s): Source: The William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. 69, No. 1 (January 2012), pp. 3-34 Published by: Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5309/willmaryquar.69.1.0003 . Accessed: 06/09/2012 12:18 Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms…

Words 15041 - Pages 61

Sources of Ethics Essay

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0- JOHN STEINER AND GEORGE STEINER SIX PRIMARY SOURCES OF ETHICS: 6 1- Religion: 6 2- Genetic Inheritance: 8 3- Philosophical Systems: 8 4- Cultural Experience: 8 5- The Legal System: 9 6- Codes of Conduct: 9 2.0- EXPLANATION OF THE SOURCES OF ETHICS: 10 2.1- RELIGION: 10 Teaching business ethics 12 2.11- Impact Of Religiosity: 13 2.12- Ethics Of Islam: 14 Nature of Islamic Ethics 17 The Human-Environment Relationship: 20 The Sustainable…

Words 20200 - Pages 81