| I think you've misunderstood the Mill quote. Immediately preceding the quote you used: > the sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection. He's saying that others cannot compel someone to do things, even if it is for their own good. They may only interfere for their own self protection. This implies and supports the right to self defence. Ending the paragraph containing the quote you provided: > In the part [of his conduct] which merely concerns him, his independence is, of right, absolute. Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign. This does not in any way limit or argue against the effectiveness or right to self defence but instead, again, supports it. I'd encourage you to read On Liberty as, in my opinion, it is the greatest modern philosophical work. |