On Liberty – John Stuart Mill

"Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign."

John Stuart Mill presents a powerful and lucid defense of individual freedom against the encroachments of the state and the tyranny of the majority. He establishes the "harm principle," arguing that the only justification for interfering with the liberty of any individual is to prevent harm to others.

On Liberty is a defining classic of liberal thought. Its passionate arguments for freedom of speech and the importance of individuality remain vital touchstones for democratic societies today, advocating for a free marketplace of ideas.