1. What does John Stuart Mill argue about the individual and individuality; how would you describe his view of individuality and the qualities associated with it?- The individual challenges social complacency, keeps society from stagnating-state shouldn’t infringe on the individual unless they infringe on others-public opinion can be stifling to individuality, people shold be protected against prevailing public opinion and tendency of society to impose itself on others-only interfere with individual liberty for self-protection-Argument that certain laws/public opinions might be fore an individuals own good does not suffice to justify it as a coercive forceCoercion of an individual by society only acceptable when an individual poses a threatDoes not apply to children/”backward” societies – only people capable of learning from the discussion of liberty, otherwise they should be helped-Appropriate spheres of human liberty – society must respect all threeDomain of conscience – liberty of individual thought/opinionPlanning one’s own life – liberty of tastes/pursuitLiberty to unite w/other consenting individuals for any purpose that does not ham others2. What is Mill’s view towards minority viewpoints; how does he argue his position?-Liberty of opinion is valuable:Unpopular opinion could be rightRefuting it could help people better understand their truth through debate-Mill himself believed in women’s suffrage, birth control, universal education, trade unions, child labor laws, collective bargaining, 1 person 1 vote in 1860’sunprevailing views of the time that are now prevailing viewsValue of liberty of opinion/minority viewpoints-Censoring a better minority opinion robs the society of the chance to improve, censoring a wrong opinion robs society of a chance to better understand it’s own truth through debate-Human beings are not infallible, they have the capacity to correct their mistakes through experience and discussion-A person can only be right if they are open to dissenting opinionsstanding invitation to be proven wrong, to know they are right3. What are the proper limits between the individual and society for Mill; do you agree with his position and if not, why not?-society and the individual should receive control over that part of human life it is particularly interested in-no social contract but – individual is protected by society and owes it certain conduct-Society has jurisdiction over any aspect of human behavior that affects prejudicially the interests of others-individuals must not injure the interests/rights/ of other people-people can point out what they see as faults in others but cannot punish people or treat them w/ resent-Punishment – action must infringe on others, not moral reprobation (punish someone in debt for extravagant spending for their debt to creditors, not because they are extravagant-Society has an entire childhood to nurture values, if it fails to it is society’s fault – no more influence is necessary-Universal tendency to extend bounds of “moral police” – banning alcohol, polygamy, pork in Muslim countries (legit activities that societies’ might see as bad)people should preach but not try to coerce people4. How does Mill view the concept of the majority and majority will; at what point should society intervene in individual behavior?-People not accountable to society for actions that only affect themselvessociety must dissuade the individual, not coerce them-People should be warned of the dangers of things that could hurt them but not prohibited from those actsthings should not be banned because they can be harmfulpoison – name/address should be taken down for criminal purpose but still sold-Violent drunks can be compelled not to drink-Decency – indecent acts can be regulated because they affront others-State & family relations – children should have compulsive education of some form regardless of parents desire, Marriage licenses should be given to those capable of supporting a family dude to finances and dangers of over-population1. Mill views the individual as crucial to society. Individuals represent unpopular yet essential opinions. Individuals assert the importance of minority opinions through their ability to go against the norm and the moral justification of expressing unpopular opinions. Individuals stand up to the oppressive majority in society. Mill views individuality fundamental to politics. He believed in liberty and the absence of oppressive environmental opinions. He also believes that others do not have the right to police others’ individuality. Mill associates individuality with independence and the courage to stand up to others in society despite possible repercussions. He views individuality from a very positive perspective. Mill believes that individuality is crucial in society in order to ensure that tyranny does not occur.1. J.S. Mill argues that-“individual spontaneity is hardly recognized by the common modes of thinking, as having any intrinsic worth”-“society has now fairly got the better of individuality; and the danger which threatens human nature is not the excess, but the deficiency of personal impulses and preferences”.-“In proportion to the development of individuality, each person becomes more valuable to himself, and is therefore more capable of being valuable to others”-“it is essential that different persons should be allowed to lead different lives”-“Individuality is the same thing with development, and that it is only the cultivation of individuality which produces, or can produce, well-developed human beings”-J.S. Mill is very strong on the side of individuality; it is not just a cultural concept-Individuality is a rarity in our society-Although individuality may be articulating an unpopular opinion, that opinion should be allowed to exist according to Mill.-No one has the right to police other’s morality-Individuality is not just a rational preference, but a subtle sense of how we stand up to moral principles and othersMill argues that the individual/individuality are the most valuable aspects of human nature; he values the rights of the individuals over the rights of any group or government. He sees individuality as an expression of liberty/freedom.1. Individuals have the right to have their own opinions, even if it opposes the popular opinion or someone else’s opinionMust protect individuals from the tyranny of the groupTyranny of the