On Liberty

How much freedom should each person have? Individual freedom needs protection from both government coercion and the pressure of prevailing opinion. Freedom of discussion and varied ways of living support truth, judgment, and personal development, while duties to others and the prevention of harm mark limits to individual choice.

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Idea 7
Children and people who cannot yet direct their own conduct may need protection from their actions as well as from others. The liberty defended for mature judgment should not be confused with a duty to leave those who require care unprotected.
Idea 23
Individuality is an essential part of well-being and progress, not merely an inconvenience to tolerate. Freedom and varied circumstances allow distinctive powers and character to develop.
Idea 44
Advice about permitted self-regarding conduct should generally be permitted too. Harder cases arise when someone profits from encouraging conduct society considers harmful, because interested solicitation may distort another person’s choice.

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