John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) Considered a genius. Spoke Greek at 3. Father kept him from associating with children his own age. Read Greek philosophy and studied physics and astronomy as an eight year old. #smart

“Change is the movement of history” Men must be free of most laws - No Safe Spaces - Public opinion not necessarily good With unnecessary laws and public opinion new ideas will be stifled Utilitarian- What will bring society as a whole the most good (or freedom)?

Book - On Liberty On Liberty (1859) “…the state has no right to tamper with the liberty of the individual or any personal interference with another's freedom - particularly with respect to freedom of thought and discussion. Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign.” “Only those actions which harm others can be restricted”

Socialism, like the ancient ideas from which it springs, confuses the distinction between government and society. As a result of this, every time we object to a thing being done by government, the socialists conclude that we object to its being done at all. We disapprove of state education. Then the socialists say that we are opposed to any education. We object to a state religion. Then the socialists say that we want no religion at all. We object to a state-enforced equality. Then they say that we are against equality. And so on, and so on. It is as if the socialists were to accuse us of not wanting persons to eat because we do not want the state to raise grain.

The only laws should be to control harmful acts -to protect life, liberty, and property Distasteful acts must be protected to protect new ideas. -Galileo – First telescope -Copernicus – “if the earth is moving…” Ex: present day distasteful act -Pornography - Marijuana

Laws against distasteful acts are the same as laws against new ideas, and new ideas are the basis for change in the movement of history. His example of a distasteful act: urinating in the street- is it harmful—no. Is it distasteful—yes. Should there be a law against it—no. How would he feel about assisted suicide? What about abortion?