Liberty of Conscience and Individuality - Essay Example

20 March Liberty of Conscience and Individuality Introduction: For human societies across the globe there exists an agency to control their actions known as society. Liberty is given to the people on some conditions by the judiciary system of every nation. This paper discusses the liberty of conscience and liberty of individuality. Conscience can be defined as individual’s moral sense of right and wrong and is based on so many factors such as spirituality, philosophy, and societal norms. That is, moral judgment will apply before a person takes any decision or initiate any action. Individuality means one separate object or one only and it is a quality of state as being an individual. Besides, it also includes the status of independence. The main focus of this paper in presenting the concept will be Chapter 3 of On Liberty by John Stuart Mill. In this chapter, he describes about importance of individuality and freedom of action. Mill has composed this chapter by indicating the limitations of personal freedom. He points out his belief in self government excluding individuals who are interfering in others liberty. He also dwells on the significance of a person’s wishes and incitements such as incitement produces energy, which will be the fuel for change and actions, including both good and bad. Mill states that the religious and other forces stifle the individuality of persons and he does not believe in the restrictive view, which is injurious to the inner good of humans. He also emphasizes on the significance of original thought and naturalness. Mill believes that even if the people do not hold on freedom and naturalness, they will automatically mingle with that environment. It is because of the government, which become more effective only if there is a society, allows people to innovate and spread new ideas and to confront the majority’s opinion. Literature Review: In his book Mill refers to the term-liberty. In Chapter 3 he describes about the liberty of an individual by focusing on its various aspects. In his words, he explains the whole term liberty as “there should be different experiments of living; that free scope should be given to varieties of character, short of injury to others; and that the worth of different modes of life should be proved practically” (Stuart Mill p.109). It meant to be a society, who allows people to select their choice in life. The quote elaborates on different social activities of religious worship, family organisation of changing and testing all aspects in life which none can imagine. He actually means that every person should be allowed to live in his or her own way and it should be controlled only when they are interfering in other’s life. He also points out the reasons which support experiments of living. There is a bilateral meaning on the argument – the author tells that there do exist unsatisfactory factors in our society, and allow the growth of experiments of living taking place. Mill highlights other lifestyles. Mill illustrates that freedom within the society will lead to the formation of genius, and he believes that genius can live only in a free society. Besides, he thinks that religious freedom is one of the important aspects of liberty. Therefore, people who are taking offence against others are unacceptable and that some modifications should be made to the current understanding of liberty. Mill expresses his view that moral principles are important for a person’s freedom that he does not harm others. On the contrary, through the concept of making harm, Mill shows the rational point of view and the changes such action can bring about in the society. Individuality is one of the main topics of discussion in Mill’s On Liberty. It may differ from person to person. Mill, quoting the words of Wilhelm von Humboldt, who was a German thinker and a politician, argues that each person’s motive is the “highest and most harmonious development of his powers to a complete and consistent whole” (Lacewing par.1). By this, Mill means that every person’s desires and abilities and emotions are different and developed to its entirety and it also needs to be reliable. Hence each individual’s progress is only his or her own and not an imitation of others. Mill thinks that individual freedom is limited with the need to safeguard the rights and interests of others. A person’s individuality is also based on the willingness to obey the rules and regulations of the society and not to cause harm to others. Mill also lays significance on the attitude of a person and the need to act based on one’s character sense of justice. Mill says that conscience is also an important part of individuality. For the development of one’s power into a concrete one, it is essential to improve thought and feelings. So Mill illustrates the abilities to think them self, and to feel the emotions that perfectly one’s own and not a copy of anyone else, this is considers as the factor of originality, a good awareness about their own character, an intense sense of morality joined with a healthy self respect and a potency of will to do what they choose. Mill admits that an further most development will occur only in the exceptional people because none will willing to do this and hence a elite class of individuality cannot be made. Mill gave emphasis on the thought of originality in the context of the thinkers develop their ideas in the traditional basis and he argues that originality comes forward completely from the environment of there is no need for further explanations about one’s action. In Mill’s On Liberty, the author attached importance to the individual liberty which is generally undervalued by most of the societies as secondary. Mill explains the importance of individual characters which leads to human progress in the society and he respects human potential and creativity. It is the responsibility of the society to support individual’s progress. Mill clearly distinguishes actions based on self–respect that honors others and without self-respect that interrupts with the interests of others. The basic fact remains that the government gets recognition only with the individual’s actions. Therefore, Mill believes that man must be true to his nature. Otherwise, the society must interfere in the alternative ways of living of individuals to guide them to the right course of action. Individuality is the essential promotion of one’s self without causing harm to others and by abiding by the rules of nature and society. One important thing Mill refers here is man’s spontaneity must be respected, but it is not essential for the well- being of society. He mentions that people are more valuable to themselves but they need to acknowledge the individuality of others also. Mill also argues that individuality is essential, but it is important to manage the level of both individual and society. He further upholds the view that the society offers protection to each individual, which is in the form of contracts. When actions of an individual cause harm to others, the society should interfere and the offender must be punished by law. Also, when person’s deed affects the interests of others, the society has the power to take actions on it. In all such deeds, the person has complete freedom – both legal and social and also must be responsible for facing the consequences. Mill also concerns about the term equality. If one indulges in gambling or drunkenness or uncleanliness, it is harmful for society. Such individual causes harm not to a single person, but a whole society. The only way to prevent this is to confront it legally and socially. In such situations, the society must interfere with the individual’s right to act. Mill rejects the belief that a person’s actions are automatically having some effect on the society. On the other hand, he believes that a person’s feelings are based on his self regarding qualities and insufficiency. A person[s qualities make him good and his misdeeds make him bad. An ideal individual is the real model for a human nature. Mill emphasizes on rights. He says that humans have the right to accept anything from anyone, but there is no right for the oppression of individuality. Individuals who act morally, within the parameters prescribed by the society, satisfies the majority in general or social matters. Mill doubts about the majority’s opinion that it becomes a law to the minority. Because majority’s opinion need not be tenable at all times. The only thing they have in conscience. The societies are the basic elements of custom and coercion. Mill challenges the bad conduct of human beings, which affects others. Thus, an individual’s interfere with the interests of others will affect the society as a whole. Also, the ruling authority of the society should not impose any unwanted restrain on individual’s freedom. In Mill’s view point, everybody has their own freedom, which was gained by society. There are also so many concepts within society such as morals, custom, and so on. These elements control an individual from violating other’s liberty. Mill also pointed out that forcing an individual is not appropriate for individual liberty. Hence societies must eschew customs which put any unwanted restriction on a person’s liberty. Society and other authorities may interfere with an individual’s freedom only when his actions are harmful to other’s liberty. Conclusion: Liberty of conscience and individuality are two inter-related aspects. Mill illustrates his philosophical thought on individuality in his work, On Liberty. Liberty of individuals needs to be restricted when it affects others wrongly. Conscience makes a person to think independently and to form ideas. A person’s consciousness is based on ideals such as morality and religious beliefs. Mill in his work says that every individual has his or her own liberty, but each person must respect the liberty of others. He also finds that a person’s originality and character are inter-related. The society can interfere with one’s liberty only when it is harmful to others. Works Cited Lacewing, Michael. Mill on the Development of the Individual. Routledge. n.d. Web. 18 March 2013. http://cw.routledge.com/textbooks/alevelphilosophy/data/A2/Mill/MillIndividuality.pdf Stuart Mill, John. On Liberty. 1999. Print. Read More