La libertà

by John Stuart Mill

"La libertà" by John Stuart Mill is an essay published in 1859 that applies utilitarian philosophy to the relationship between individual freedom and government authority. Mill argues against the tyranny of the majority and proposes a single principle: power may only be exercised over individuals to prevent harm to others. He outlines three fundamental liberties—freedom of thought, freedom to pursue personal tastes, and freedom of association—while examining when society can legitimately restrict individual liberty. The work explores the tension between collective opinion and personal sovereignty.