Quotation
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“If all mankind minus one were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind.”
John Stuart Mill · Liberalism · Modern · 1859
What does it mean?
Numbers do not create a right to silence. If everyone but one person shared an opinion, Mill says, they would be no more justified in silencing that one than he, given the power, would be in silencing them. A rival reading says this is absolute in a way he does not earn: some speech silences other people, and a rule of never silencing protects the loud. He is arguing, in chapter 2, that the silenced opinion might be true, or might contain part of the truth, or, if false, might keep the true opinion alive.
Did John Stuart Mill really say this?
The library’s label is Well attested. Mill's own English in the chapter on thought and discussion. The 'he' is his. Silencing is not justified by numbers, even by all mankind minus one.
Where it comes from
On Liberty, chapter 2
Approximate date: 1859.
How to use it
A residents' meeting in Sheffield is unanimous against one tenant's objection to a plan. Unanimity is not, on this sentence, a reason to stop her speaking. It may still be a reason to outvote her. He distinguishes silencing from deciding. A meeting that confuses the two has left the chapter.
A mindset reading
The sentence is about the right to be heard, not about a duty to be persuaded. You can hear the one person and still think them wrong. The argument is that you will think less well if you have arranged not to hear them.
Understand the philosophy
Chapter 2 is the epistemological defence of liberty of thought. Chapter 1's harm principle is the neighbouring argument and not the same one. Silencing is a harm he thinks we do to ourselves, including when we are right.
- freedom
- knowledge
- justice
FAQ
What does it mean?
Numbers do not create a right to silence. If everyone but one person shared an opinion, Mill says, they would be no more justified in silencing that one than he, given the power, would be in silencing them. A rival reading says this is absolute in a way he does not earn: some speech silences other people, and a rule of never silencing protects the loud. He is arguing, in chapter 2, that the silenced opinion might be true, or might contain part of the truth, or, if false, might keep the true opinion alive.
Did John Stuart Mill really say this?
Well attested. Mill's own English in the chapter on thought and discussion. The 'he' is his. Silencing is not justified by numbers, even by all mankind minus one.
Which work is it in?
On Liberty, chapter 2 Approximate date: 1859.