What John Stuart Mill thinks about censorship
Philosopher (1806 to 1873), a utilitarian and liberal; worked for the East India Company for almost thirty-five years; elected Member of Parliament for Westminster in 1865.
John Stuart Mill did not write this page.
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2 dated positions, c. 1859, in their own words. Our reading of what John Stuart Mill has said — not written or endorsed by them.
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Their wordsIf all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind.
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Their wordsBut the peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is, that it is robbing the human race; posterity as well as the existing generation; those who dissent from the opinion, still more than those who hold it.