Blog 3 On Liberty

In consensus with Mill and pretty much all bloggers, I too agree that the government has no say in matters of individual liberty. In fact, Mill argues that the only time the government and or society as a whole can interfere with individual liberty is for self-protection. This is only justified when the said individual poses a threat to others.

I think we can all agree that it seems pretty easy to determine what we consider as a threat and the need for self protection. However, what about the subtle and not so subtle ways government infringes upon individual liberties? Mill argues the issue of government and or society putting limitations on people’s opinion and their expression of such opinion. Mill argues that regardless of the opinion, society cannot silence that opinion. The first thing that comes to mind is say Gay Marriage. We are silencing their individual liberty by not allowing them to marry. Hmmmm… Something to ponder in class I suppose..