It is illustrated in the experience of almost all ethical doctrines and religious creeds. They are all full of meaning and vitality to those who originate them and to the direct disciples of the originators. Their meaning continues to be felt in undiminished strength , and is perhaps brought out into even fuller consciousness, so long as the struggle lasts to give the doctrine or creed an ascendancy over other creeds. At last it either prevails, and becomes the general opinion, or its progress stop... (44)
In this passage Mill explains that if a society can claim something is fact eventually the population learns to accept without questioning. Although it may be impossible to be completely free of the burdens of others opinions, it is possible to at least question those opinions we hear. Individuality is not accepting blindly and having a critical mind that checks others opinions with their own logic. This may seem simple enough but there is another complication when aspiring to achieve true individuality. It is equally important to act on your own beliefs as well as have them. An autonomous being is useless as an observer, but powerful when active. If a revolutionary idea is never shared and given the opportunity to change this world, it may as well have never existed. A true follower of autonomy must share their thoughts and work on making them reality. However this is often very difficult since identity is constantly under assault by societal and social pressures. Even after one achieves a state of intellectual sovereignty the views of others continue to pressure and challenge that autonomy. Humans are social creatures by nature and are often concerned with what others think of them. The desire to be well liked and the fear of being rejected are two forces working against the sense of self. In more extreme societies the fear of rejection can be replaced with the reality of political persecution. Equilibrium’s city of Libria is a perfect example of such a society. In the city state of Libria there is no individuality. The social opinions are all dictated by Father, the epitome of oppression. Those that counter Father’s opinion are hunted and executed. For this reason any “sense offenders” in the city must hide any original or creative thoughts. However one individual decides to act out against the tyranny of