@article{ART003308187},
author={Kang Joon Ho},
title={On the Limitations of John Stuart Mill’s Liberalism},
journal={PHILOSOPHY·THOUGHT·CULTURE},
issn={1975-1621},
year={2026},
number={50},
pages={45-72}
TY - JOUR
AU - Kang Joon Ho
TI - On the Limitations of John Stuart Mill’s Liberalism
JO - PHILOSOPHY·THOUGHT·CULTURE
PY - 2026
VL - null
IS - 50
PB - Research Institute for East-West Thought
SP - 45
EP - 72
SN - 1975-1621
AB - J. S. Mill’s liberalism was shaped not only by his utilitarianism but also by diverse backgrounds including his views on religion, the influence of romanticism, skeptical empiricism and positivist tradition. His liberalism has given rise to many interpretations that are subtly different or even directly conflicting. The root cause of this lies largely in the fundamental ambiguity of the principles he presented in On Liberty and the concepts embedded within them. In order to understand these divergent interpretations, this paper examines the problems arising from the ambiguity of the concept of ‘harm,’ and the critical remark that his liberalism is trapped within the western conception of humanity. This analysis will reveal that his liberalism, particularly his emphasis on freedom of expression, not only obscures his own distinction between self-regarding and other-regarding actions but also has limitations in failing to sufficiently consider the broader real/potential harms it could entail. Nevertheless, if we understand that he viewed freedom not merely as one component of happiness but as the foundation of all happiness, and that he sought not to provide a complete answer regarding the boundaries of freedom but rather to offer a space for discussion and debate, then works like On Liberty can be said to fully align with his intent by providing an excellent starting point for such discussion and debate.
KW - John Stuart Mill;liberalism;utilitarianism;harm principle;freedom of expression
DO -
UR -
ER -
Kang Joon Ho. (2026). On the Limitations of John Stuart Mill’s Liberalism. PHILOSOPHY·THOUGHT·CULTURE, 50, 45-72.
Kang Joon Ho. 2026, "On the Limitations of John Stuart Mill’s Liberalism", PHILOSOPHY·THOUGHT·CULTURE, no.50, pp.45-72.
Kang Joon Ho "On the Limitations of John Stuart Mill’s Liberalism" PHILOSOPHY·THOUGHT·CULTURE 50 pp.45-72 (2026) : 45.
Kang Joon Ho. On the Limitations of John Stuart Mill’s Liberalism. 2026; 50 : 45-72.
Kang Joon Ho. "On the Limitations of John Stuart Mill’s Liberalism" PHILOSOPHY·THOUGHT·CULTURE no.50(2026) : 45-72.
Kang Joon Ho. On the Limitations of John Stuart Mill’s Liberalism. PHILOSOPHY·THOUGHT·CULTURE, 50, 45-72.
Kang Joon Ho. On the Limitations of John Stuart Mill’s Liberalism. PHILOSOPHY·THOUGHT·CULTURE. 2026; 50 45-72.
Kang Joon Ho. On the Limitations of John Stuart Mill’s Liberalism. 2026; 50 : 45-72.
Kang Joon Ho. "On the Limitations of John Stuart Mill’s Liberalism" PHILOSOPHY·THOUGHT·CULTURE no.50(2026) : 45-72.
