Text On Liberty John Stuart Mill, 1859 …The object of this Essay is to assert one very simple principle, as entitled to govern absolutely the dealings of society with the individual in the way of compulsion and control, whether the means used be physical force in the form of legal penalties or the moral coercion of public opinion. The principle is, that the sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection. That the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant. He cannot rightfully be compelled to do or forbear because it will be better for him to do so, because it will make him happier, because, in the opinions of others, to do so would be wise, or even right. There are good reasons for remonstrating with him, or reasoning with him, or persuading him, or entreating him, but not for compelling him, or visiting him with any evil, in case he do otherwise. To justify that, the conduct from which it is desired to deter him must be calculated to produce evil to some one else. The only part of the conduct of any one, for which he is amenable to society, is that which concerns others. In the part which merely concerns himself, his independence is, of right, absolute. Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign. I may have an idea of what mr. mill is trying to convey to the reader. I need help with clarification of the following questions. Summary/ Definition What is J.S. Mill basically saying here? What is meant by “harm to others”? What does “remonstrating” mean? Analysis Questions: Why does Mill say what he says? How do Mill’s ideas relate to the time period he’s in? What evidence or reasons does Mill use to support his ideas? Hypothesis Questions: How might Mill’s ideas be different if he were writing today? Evaluation Questions: Is Mill persuasive in his discussion of Liberty? Why? What would be the advantages of adopting Mill’s views?