Published in 1859, On Liberty is John Stuart Mill’s enduring defence of individual freedom against the power of the state and the tyranny of public opinion. It advances the “harm principle” — that the only justification for coercing a person is to prevent harm to others — and mounts a celebrated argument for freedom of thought, speech, and individuality.
This free EPUB edition has been carefully cleaned and formatted for modern e-readers. A cornerstone of liberal political philosophy, Mill’s essay continues to frame contemporary debates about free expression, personal autonomy, and the proper limits of social authority.