Scott Rosenberg has an interesting take on John Stuart Mill’s On Liberty. I think his analysis of the treatise is good, but it has a certain liberal bent to it (which shouldn’t be a surprise considering he’s a columnist for Salon). Mill makes quite a case for Classical Liberalism, but I think these days it’s going to be used more as an attack against conservatism. But it’s important to note that Mill is talking to everyone — every single person, regardless of their religious/political/philosophical bent, must be willing to listen (and hear) other opinions. Mill also critiques those who don’t really think for themselves — people who simply accept what like-minded say as dogma. Today, too many people think this only goes for conservatives and religious folk, but have a close read or listen when someone is asked to defend their ideas, and more often than not, they either can’t answer the question directly (because they don’t have an answer) or they reply with simply the “party line.”

Posted on 12 August 2003