Truth, discussion, and free speech in On Liberty II

Macleod, Christopher (2021) Truth, discussion, and free speech in On Liberty II. Utilitas, 33 (2). pp. 150-161. ISSN 0953-8208

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Abstract

In this article, I offer a reading of On Liberty II which focuses on the structural features of the argument that Mill presents. Mill's argument, I suggest, is grounded on an appeal to the value of truth, and is divided into three sub-arguments, treating true, false and partially true opinion respectively. In section 1, I consider what constraints the teleological orientation of Mill's argument places on the case he makes, before examining in section 2 what the division of Mill's argument into three exhaustive sub-arguments tells us about the nature of ‘discussion’ as Mill uses the term. I go on, in section 3, to suggest that although On Liberty II does not offer a defence of free speech in the broad sense in which the term is often now used, we should be optimistic about the chances of finding such a defence in On Liberty III.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Utilitas
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/3300/3312
Subjects:
?? sociology and political sciencephilosophy ??
ID Code:
152855
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
17 Mar 2021 14:05
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
15 Jul 2024 21:30