Independent Student Research Project
Freedom of Speech
John Stuart Mill
Created by Jackie Dahl

John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) was one of the most influential English Philosopher. His main body of work concerns itself with Utilitarian principles advocating that all moral, social, or political action should be directed toward achieving the greatest good for the greatest number of people. His literary contributions concerning liberal thought are immeasurable. In 1859 he introduced a small treatise named On Liberty. This small 100 page book is the best known and the most instrumental of his writings concerning freedom of speech. A famous quote detailing his liberal thought is found in Chapter one where he says, "This, then, is the appropriate region of human liberty. It comprises, first, the inward domain of consciousness; demanding liberty of conscience, in the most comprehensive sense; liberty of thought and feeling; absolute freedom of opinion and sentiment on all subjects, practical or speculative, scientific, moral, or theological." Below, please find selected writings concerning his views on free speech, freedom of thought and expression.

Contents:

Early Letter #1

Early Letter #1, 1812 - 1848 - "In government, perfect freedom of discussion in all its modes – speaking, writing, and printing – in law and in fact is the first requisite of good because the first condition of popular intelligence and mental progress." 

Early Letter #2

Early Letter #2, 1812 - 1842 - "Why not say at once that all persons of genius, inspired persons in the modern sense, poets & persons of imagination & eloquence who had great & wonderful powers not derived from teaching, were believed to derive these powers straight from God & were in consequence of that religious belief, permitted from religious motives to exercise that right of free speech & free censure of powerful persons, which certainly would not in that age have been conceded to any one who spoke merely as from himself?" 

Morning Chronicle: Article I,  Article II,  Article III

   Mill wrote five articles under the name Wickliff in which he challenges the arguments brought against unlimited toleration in regards to free discussion on all matters concerning religious thought. He submitted them to the Morning Chronicle where ArticleI, Article II, and Article IIIof the five articles were published. They were published between January and February of 1823. The other two articles did not survive the censorship of the time and therefore, were never published.

Public and Parliamentary Speeches

Public and Parliamentary Speeches - Mill states, ". . . it has been for centuries the pride of this country, and one of its most valued distinctions from the despotically-governed countries of the continent, that a man has a right to speak his mind, on politics or on any other subject, to those who would listen to him, when and where he will."

Other Works      Excerpts from On Liberty   On Liberty         

Created by Jackie Dahl (5-7-97)