About the Book: On Liberty
This book applies Mills ethical system of utilitarianism to society and the
state. Attempting to establish standards for the relationship between authority
and liberty, it emphasizes the importance of individuality, which Mill conceived
as a prerequisite to the higher pleasures—the sum mum bonum of Utilitarianism.
Among the standards established in this work are Mills three basic liberties of
individuals, his three legitimate objections to government intervention, and his
two maxims regarding the relationship of the individual to society. Further
discussing the historical struggle between authority and liberty, it describes
the tyranny of government, which, in his view, needs to be controlled by the
liberty