On Liberty: A Translation into Modern English

This is a current language version of John Stuart Mill’s classic 1859 essay – translating the work into modern English to improve its readability and understandability. The translation is substantive but retains original word order and grammar as far as possible.

Mill's main concern in the book is individual liberty. He argues that public authorities have no business restricting individual liberty except to prevent injury to others. However, he fully knows personal freedom is only a part of freedom: people live in societies and their personal liberty depends on (and contributes to) economic and political institutional freedom.

Coverage:

Editorial foreword

1. Introductory

2. Liberty of thought and discussion

3. Individuality: One element of well-being

4. The limits to the authority of society over the individual

5. Applications