Mill On Liberty

In his essay “On Liberty”, John Stuart Mill carefully analyzes the ideas of the individual’s role of contributing to society, the individual’s rights and freedoms, and when said freedom becomes subject to limitations. His thoughts can be seen in many western cultures today, long after his era of the 19th century. For example, Mill argues that when it comes to individual liberties, children need guidance and should not be held fully capable with their actions based on decisions. Through reading his essay, I found myself agreeing with many of his statements and thoughts, and became uncomfortable with others. It was in the more uncomfortable points that I found myself disagreeing with, I decided to look at Mill’s beliefs in context with what was influencing him at the time. From historical and political events of his time, tied in with his everyday life and expected social norms, much of what he believes makes sense to what his, and many others, were experiencing in the 19th century and the start of the Victorian era. With this thought, I began to question a few of his key thoughts based on his involvement with the East India Company in the time of the Opium Wars.

In the time that Mill was alive, he had been witness to the ventures of the East India Company as an employee

Whoever undertakes to sell any description of goods to the public does what affects the interest of other persons, and of society in general; and this his conduct, in principle, comes within jurisdiction of society” (Mills, pg. 94). With this statement it can be seen that the sale of the drug, knowing full well it’s detrimental effects, would be wrong as it causes harm to both individuals and the society. This, combined with the idea that the drug was used to degrade the strength of the country politically and economically in order for self-achievement, would prove to be a morally wrong act that violates the harm