Flaws: Society + Individual

ON LIBERTY
Chapter 3: Of Individuality, as one of the elements of Well-Being
Mill believes that individuality and nonconformity benefits not only the individual, but also benefits society. Although he believes that people should be allowed to act on their own opinions without facing legal punishment or social stigma, he does believe that actions should not be as free as opinions. He states that both must be limited in order to avoid harm to one’s self or to others. But, individuality is needed to cultivate the “self” and each person’s unique character. Mill fears conformity and believes that it can be detrimental to society, and he recognizes that this pattern of behavior usually comes with civilization.
I find his argument interesting because I feel like he is taking two sides of the issues. As I understand it, he is saying that people’s actions should be limited and censored while at the same time individual expression is the most important thing to self development. I find this a flaw in his logic.

Chapter 4: On the limits to the Authority of society over the Individual
In this chapter Mill tries to define and clarify the limits that society can pose on an individual. He states that since the society protects the individual, the individual, then, owes society respectable conduct in return. Mill tries to narrow down his argument by saying that society can only control and limit aspects that affect interests of others. He adds how people should be accepting of others beliefs and moral standards and not try and be coercive. He also believes that people are never fully isolated from society. I found it hard to distinguish what aspects of life do not affect other people. Should all of our actions be censored?

Chapter 5: Applications
In this chapter Mill tries to clear up some of his arguments. He states that people are not accountable to society for actions that only concern themselves. But, he adds that society can give advice and suggest things. Individuals are accountable for actions that hurt others, and society can punish and has the right to punish a person through social or legal manners. I am pretty sure that Mill is saying that an individual can improve himself only through interaction among society and its members. I am still not clear on what Mill defines as good situations in which the government should interfere and situations in which the government should leave people to themselves. Doesn’t every action effect more than just you?

I think that people might find flaws in his logic when he speaks out of both sides of his mouth. He greatly respects the rights of the individual but also greatly enforces the power of society over the individual. I do not see how this balances out.
I think that Americans accepted his work more because their social setting was in better condition and the people were more apt to search for high meaning of life. During the Industrial Revolution in Britain people were more concerned with getting food on their table and keeping up their overall health. They were not concerned with their individual choices, they just wanted to survive.