Mills Main Argument - Essay Example

In establishing this argument, Mill explains that the contentious issue is the set of people’s actions towards interpersonal relationships and the forces that influences such actions. While liberty is a common element in liberalism and a person can undertake any action in his or her environment, such acts, whether of omission or of commission, must take into account legal, moral or social obligations that an individual owes to other members of the society. The main argument therefore identifies limitations to a person’s liberty as long as such liberty promises threats to other people’s welfare.

The argument also justifies the regulations to control an individual’s exercise of personal liberty. It applies the moral utilitarian doctrine of ensuring good as a basis for the necessity of such measures against an individual’s liberty (p. 17). Society’s power, whether legal or moral, over a person’s liberty also extend to actions at a personal level. Consequently, an individual’s act may not be aimed at the society but liberty over such an act may still be controlled if the society or any other person apart from the individual actor may feel the act’s consequences.

The external effect must however be first established before justifying infringement of the actor’s liberty. Similarly, a person may be compelled into action, against personal will. An example is a participation in a judicial process as a witness. Even though the subject is not a party to the case, his or her action has a direct effect on the privity parties to establish a ground for infringement of personal liberty. Liberty is therefore a subject of macro-environmental forces (p. 17- 19). ClassificationEven though John’s period is closer to classical liberalism than modern liberalism, he should be classified as a modern liberal.

This is primarily because of his ideas that correspond to the features of modern liberalism. His idea on liberty for example identifies a macro-environmental approach that is a characteristic of modern liberalization. Under modern liberalization, liberty is observed from a wider perspective that considers impacts on the entire society. The government’s powers are recognized to control people’s actions in the interest of other members of the society as opposed to classical liberalism in which individualism and personal liberty are sovereign (p. 17- 19). John should also be classified as a right based liberal as opposed to a utilitarian liberal.

This is because of his ideas that support the protection of individuals’ autonomy from others’ interference. This is shown throughout his ideas on liberty as he underscores an individual’s liberty as long as such liberty adversely affects other members of society. This is opposed to utilitarianism that focuses on the overall consequences to justify a person’s actions (p. 17- 19).