Deck 73: John Stuart Mill: A Classical Liberal Answer

Question 1

Mill rejects the notion of natural rights and argues that we should promote a democracy dedicated to individual liberty because that will maximize happiness. But he cautions against the "tyranny of the majority," asserting that every educated adult must be free to do what he or she desires. "The only freedom which deserves the name," he says, "is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs." The only legitimate reason for a government to interfere with someone's liberty against his or her will is to prevent harm to others.
-According to Mill, if an action concerns only the individual, his independence from interference should be

A) conditional.
B) restricted.
C) absolute.
D) subject to law.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Mill rejects the notion of natural rights and argues that we should promote a democracy dedicated to individual liberty because that will maximize happiness. But he cautions against the "tyranny of the majority," asserting that every educated adult must be free to do what he or she desires. "The only freedom which deserves the name," he says, "is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs." The only legitimate reason for a government to interfere with someone's liberty against his or her will is to prevent harm to others.
-According to Mill, the silencing of the expression of an opinion

A) protects the public.
B) contributes to social stability.
C) robs the human race.
D) protects the liberty of the majority.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Mill rejects the notion of natural rights and argues that we should promote a democracy dedicated to individual liberty because that will maximize happiness. But he cautions against the "tyranny of the majority," asserting that every educated adult must be free to do what he or she desires. "The only freedom which deserves the name," he says, "is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs." The only legitimate reason for a government to interfere with someone's liberty against his or her will is to prevent harm to others.
-According to Mill, he who lets the world choose his plan of life has no need of

A) apelike imitation.
B) intelligence.
C) life.
D) God.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Mill rejects the notion of natural rights and argues that we should promote a democracy dedicated to individual liberty because that will maximize happiness. But he cautions against the "tyranny of the majority," asserting that every educated adult must be free to do what he or she desires. "The only freedom which deserves the name," he says, "is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs." The only legitimate reason for a government to interfere with someone's liberty against his or her will is to prevent harm to others.
-According to Mill, allowing individual liberty for people to pursue particular lifestyles will

A) necessarily cause injury to others.
B) destabilize society.
C) promote happiness and progress.
D) eventually cause wars.

Question 5

Mill rejects the notion of natural rights and argues that we should promote a democracy dedicated to individual liberty because that will maximize happiness. But he cautions against the "tyranny of the majority," asserting that every educated adult must be free to do what he or she desires. "The only freedom which deserves the name," he says, "is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs." The only legitimate reason for a government to interfere with someone's liberty against his or her will is to prevent harm to others.
-Mill believes that a government's interfering with a person's liberty is legitimate if the interference is for the person's own good.

Question 6

Mill rejects the notion of natural rights and argues that we should promote a democracy dedicated to individual liberty because that will maximize happiness. But he cautions against the "tyranny of the majority," asserting that every educated adult must be free to do what he or she desires. "The only freedom which deserves the name," he says, "is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs." The only legitimate reason for a government to interfere with someone's liberty against his or her will is to prevent harm to others.
-Mill thinks that traditions and customs are essential for human happiness.

Question 7

Mill rejects the notion of natural rights and argues that we should promote a democracy dedicated to individual liberty because that will maximize happiness. But he cautions against the "tyranny of the majority," asserting that every educated adult must be free to do what he or she desires. "The only freedom which deserves the name," he says, "is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs." The only legitimate reason for a government to interfere with someone's liberty against his or her will is to prevent harm to others.
-Mill says that a very common view is that individual spontaneity has no intrinsic worth.

Question 8

Mill rejects the notion of natural rights and argues that we should promote a democracy dedicated to individual liberty because that will maximize happiness. But he cautions against the "tyranny of the majority," asserting that every educated adult must be free to do what he or she desires. "The only freedom which deserves the name," he says, "is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs." The only legitimate reason for a government to interfere with someone's liberty against his or her will is to prevent harm to others.
-Mill favors censorship of opinions to protect the public.

Question 9

Mill rejects the notion of natural rights and argues that we should promote a democracy dedicated to individual liberty because that will maximize happiness. But he cautions against the "tyranny of the majority," asserting that every educated adult must be free to do what he or she desires. "The only freedom which deserves the name," he says, "is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs." The only legitimate reason for a government to interfere with someone's liberty against his or her will is to prevent harm to others.
-Mill's principle of liberty would disallow censorship of homosexuals, pagans, and pornographers.

Question 10

Mill rejects the notion of natural rights and argues that we should promote a democracy dedicated to individual liberty because that will maximize happiness. But he cautions against the "tyranny of the majority," asserting that every educated adult must be free to do what he or she desires. "The only freedom which deserves the name," he says, "is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs." The only legitimate reason for a government to interfere with someone's liberty against his or her will is to prevent harm to others.
-Mill says 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.

Question 11

Mill rejects the notion of natural rights and argues that we should promote a democracy dedicated to individual liberty because that will maximize happiness. But he cautions against the "tyranny of the majority," asserting that every educated adult must be free to do what he or she desires. "The only freedom which deserves the name," he says, "is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs." The only legitimate reason for a government to interfere with someone's liberty against his or her will is to prevent harm to others.
-Mill's view is strongly anti-paternalistic.

Question 12

Mill rejects the notion of natural rights and argues that we should promote a democracy dedicated to individual liberty because that will maximize happiness. But he cautions against the "tyranny of the majority," asserting that every educated adult must be free to do what he or she desires. "The only freedom which deserves the name," he says, "is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs." The only legitimate reason for a government to interfere with someone's liberty against his or her will is to prevent harm to others.
-Mill would never agree to restrict a person's liberty.

Question 13

Mill rejects the notion of natural rights and argues that we should promote a democracy dedicated to individual liberty because that will maximize happiness. But he cautions against the "tyranny of the majority," asserting that every educated adult must be free to do what he or she desires. "The only freedom which deserves the name," he says, "is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs." The only legitimate reason for a government to interfere with someone's liberty against his or her will is to prevent harm to others.
-Mill would sanction the restriction of liberty for someone who offends the majority.

Question 14

Mill rejects the notion of natural rights and argues that we should promote a democracy dedicated to individual liberty because that will maximize happiness. But he cautions against the "tyranny of the majority," asserting that every educated adult must be free to do what he or she desires. "The only freedom which deserves the name," he says, "is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs." The only legitimate reason for a government to interfere with someone's liberty against his or her will is to prevent harm to others.
-Mill thinks it's appropriate for government to punish someone who criticizes religion.

Question 15

Mill rejects the notion of natural rights and argues that we should promote a democracy dedicated to individual liberty because that will maximize happiness. But he cautions against the "tyranny of the majority," asserting that every educated adult must be free to do what he or she desires. "The only freedom which deserves the name," he says, "is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs." The only legitimate reason for a government to interfere with someone's liberty against his or her will is to prevent harm to others.
-Mill believes that his social policies would promote happiness.