On Liberty

[otters~1]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Liberty

Read it? Thoughts?

I can't stand Mill, I can't stand the silly impractical ideas he imparts and I didn't particularly enjoy his long-windedness. So.

[Tanner]

Looks pretty basic. Does he made weird jumps in logic from his base points? Are his proposed solutions to problem really stupid? Did you just want to complain about his writing style?

If I can steer this conversation, though, this got me thinking about what happens when people disagree on axioms? What are the proper steps to take in intelligent and civil discourse when one party disagrees with what the other party holds to be self-evident?

[yahoozy]

fireburnsfree's opinion on liberty (Ventrilo recording): http://www.divshare.com/download/15600491-04c

[Tanner]

"Now you're mildly overreacting."

So amazing.

Also, here's the mp3 for people without Ventrilo: http://www.box.net/shared/qqxijn0sx6vq2a1mk3eo

[otters~1]

Also, here's the mp3 for people without Ventrilo: http://www.box.net/shared/qqxijn0sx6vq2a1mk3eo

I am suddenly /so glad I made this thread/.

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Re: "Are his proposed solutions to problem really stupid?"

He goes on about the necessity of allowing mankind to do whatever it wants, which is clearly impractical (he does admit that much), and ends the essay without a shred of helpful ... thought? He /has/ no solutions. And his ideas about liberty, the titular and only subject of the piece, are either blindingly obvious or completely wrong.

This heralded work of philosophy is essentially an exercise in "who could write down the most common sense the fastest."