"A person may cause evil to others not only by his actions but by his inaction, and in either case he is justly accountable to them for the injury..."See in text(Chapter I. Introductory.)
For a more recent example of this sentiment, Peter Singer, a contemporary utilitarian and professor at Princeton University, has spoken extensively on this issue in a modern context, particularly in the context of the ethics of wealth.
"Charlemagne..."See in text(Chapter I. Introductory.)
Charlemagne, or Charles the Great, is perhaps the most famous king of the Franks. He ruled in the 8th Century C.E., and appears famously in The Song of Roland.
"Despotism is a legitimate mode of government in dealing with barbarians, provided the end be their improvement, and the means justified by actually effecting that end..."See in text(Chapter I. Introductory.)
This echoes the imperialist concept of the so-called White Man's Burden, the idea that Western society had a duty to pass on its lifestyle and traditions to the less-civilized (see annotation above about racist language) races, peoples, or states. For more context, see Rudyard Kipling's poem "The White Man's Burden."
"It is accordingly on this battle-field, almost solely, that the rights of the individual against society have been asserted on broad grounds of principle, and the claim of society to exercise authority over dissentients, openly controverted..."See in text(Chapter I. Introductory.)
The first debates on personal liberties began with freedom of religion. Notably, this became a key aspect of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
"Those who first broke the yoke of what called itself the Universal Church, were in general as little willing to permit difference of religious opinion as that church itself..."See in text(Chapter I. Introductory.)
The Anglican Church in England, for example, had little tolerance for other religions.
"They preferred endeavouring to alter the feelings of mankind on the particular points on which they were themselves heretical, rather than make common cause in defence of freedom, with heretics generally..."See in text(Chapter I. Introductory.)
In the past, Mill argues, thinkers have not pushed for a democritization of truth. Rather, they have sought changes in society's framework that would make it consistent with their own.
"Spartans and Helots..."See in text(Chapter I. Introductory.)
In Ancient Greece, the Helots were the main inhabitants of Laconia and Messenia. They were enslaved by Spartans and were considered their social inferiors.
" To an ordinary man, however, his own preference, thus supported, is not only a perfectly satisfactory reason, but the only one he generally has for any of his notions of morality, taste, or propriety, which are not expressly written in his religious creed; and his chief guide in the interpretation even of that..."See in text(Chapter I. Introductory.)
Here Mill heavily criticizes a lack of thought in constructing moral frameworks. It might also be argued that he is criticizing religion here, suggesting that it lends itself to the acceptance of a moral framework that is not ones own.
Mill did not practice any religion and was an ardent critic of the institution. However, interestingly enough, in his essay on "The Utility of Religion," he argues that religion is effective in widely instituting a code of morality, though he also makes clear his belief that faith in a higher power is no longer required for this. (Source: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)
"except in some of the popular governments of Greece..."See in text(Chapter I. Introductory.)
Athens implemented rule by lot, also known as sortition, in the 6th Century B.C.E. This involved holding a lottery, the winning citizen of which would rule the state for a short period of time.
"Wilhelm Von Humboldt..."See in text(Chapter I. Introductory.)
Wilhelm von Humboldt (June 22, 1767 – April 8, 1835) was a Prussian philosopher who founded the University of Berlin. His work was primarily in linguistics and education, and his work—particularly On the Limits of State Action—influenced Mill's thoughts and writings. In fact, von Humboldt is often credited with outlining the first versions of the "Harm Principle," which Mill expands upon. Today, this principle is seen by many as the core belief of Libertarianism.
