On Liberty

Often mentioned in the same breath with *The Communist Manifesto*, *On Liberty*-perhaps the greatest work from British political philosopher John Stuart Mill-is one of the most profound and most hotly debated works of the 19th century. Is it a classic plea for human freedom and intellectual development... or is it factually wrong and morally offensive? English philosopher and politician JOHN STUART MILL (1806-1873) was one of the foremost figure of Western intellectual thought in the late 19th century. He served as an administrator in the East Indian Company from 1823 to 1858, and as a member of parliament from 1865 to 1868.

Published in 1859, this essay by British philosopher and economist John Stuart Mill (1806-73) remains a major influence upon liberal political thought today. In this work, Mill defines liberty as an absolute individual right, and defends freedom of speech as a necessary condition of social and intellectual progress.