"The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant. He cannot rightfully be compelled to do or forbear because it will be better for him to do so, because it will make him happier, because, in the opinions of others, to do so would be wise, or even right ... The individual is sovereign over his own mind and body."—John Stuart Mills, On Liberty, 1859 How did the ideas expressed in Mill's On Liberty reflect a change from earlier societal norms?A They continued the medieval emphasis on divine right and religious authorityB They upheld the traditional roles and structures of agrarian societiesC They maintained the feudal system's focus on class hierarchies and obligationsD They represented a shift towards valuing individual rights and personal autonomy
Question
"The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant. He cannot rightfully be compelled to do or forbear because it will be better for him to do so, because it will make him happier, because, in the opinions of others, to do so would be wise, or even right ... The individual is sovereign over his own mind and body."—John Stuart Mills, On Liberty, 1859 How did the ideas expressed in Mill's On Liberty reflect a change from earlier societal norms?A They continued the medieval emphasis on divine right and religious authorityB They upheld the traditional roles and structures of agrarian societiesC They maintained the feudal system's focus on class hierarchies and obligationsD They represented a shift towards valuing individual rights and personal autonomy
Solution
The ideas expressed in Mill's "On Liberty" represented a shift towards valuing individual rights and personal autonomy. This was a significant change from earlier societal norms which were often characterized by divine right, religious authority, traditional roles and structures of agrarian societies, and a focus on class hierarchies and obligations. Mill's emphasis on the sovereignty of the individual over his own mind and body was a radical departure from these norms, reflecting the growing importance of personal autonomy and individual rights in the mid-19th century.
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