Mill's On Liberty: A Critical Guide

by C. L. Ten

Overview

John Stuart Mill's essay On Liberty, published in 1859, has had a powerful impact on philosophical and political debates ever since its first appearance. This volume of essays covers the whole range of problems raised in and by the essay, including the concept of liberty, the toleration of diversity, freedom of expression, the value of allowing 'experiments in living', the basis of individual liberty, multiculturalism and the claims of minority cultural groups. Mill's views have been fiercely contested, and they are at the centre of many contemporary debates. The essays are by leading scholars, who systematically and eloquently explore Mill's views from various perspectives. The volume will appeal to a wide range of readers including those interested in political philosophy and the history of ideas.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521182805
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	12/02/2010
Series:	Cambridge Critical Guides
Edition description:	Reissue
Pages:	252
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

C. L. Ten is Professor of Philosophy at the National University of Singapore. His publications include Was Mill a Liberal (2004) and Multiculturalism and the Value of Diversity (2004).

Table of Contents

Mill's On Liberty: Introduction C. L. Ten; 1. Mill's Case for Liberty Henry R. West; 2. Mill's liberal principles and freedom of expression David O. Brink; 3. Racism, blasphemy and free speech Jonathan Riley; 4. State neutrality and controversial values in On Liberty Gerald F. Gaus; 5. Rawls's critique of On Liberty Robert Amdur; 6. Mill on consensual domination Frank Lovett; 7. Autonomy, tradition, and the enforcement of morality Wendy Donner; 8. Mill and multiculturalism Jeremy Waldron; 9. Mill, liberty, and (genetic) 'Experiments in Living' Justine Burley; 10. John Stuart Mill, Ronald Dworkin and paternalism Robert Young.

Editorial Reviews

"....This book brings together ten very different contributions, each of which illuminates the essay’s continuing interest.... while several essays would be accessible and useful to undergraduate students, the collection as a whole is aimed primarily at researchers, or at least more advanced students.... for those with an adequate background, this collection forms a fine introduction to some central interpretive debates around On Liberty."
—Philosophy in Review, Ben Saunders, The University of Stirling

From the Publisher