On Liberty by John Stuart Mill

"On Liberty" by John Stuart Mill is a classic 1859 philosophical treatise that argues for individual liberty based primarily on the concept of "the harm principle": that "the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others". Mill argues for "extensive freedom" to allow individuals to pursue their own self-interests, as opposed to "paternalistic" or "collectivist" forms of government. Mill criticizes "the tyranny of the majority" and argues that society should intervene in the non-harmful actions of individuals only to prevent "real and present harm" to others. The work is considered a seminal treatise in the school of thought known as "classical liberalism."

Chapters:
(00:00:00) Chapter 1 - Introductory
(00:35:03) Chapter 2 - Of the Liberty of Thought and Discussion
(02:11:44) Chapter 3 - Of Individuality, As One of the Elements of Well-Being
(02:59:54) Chapter 4 - Of the Limits to the Authority of Society over the Individual
(03:48:16) Chapter 5 - Applications