Over One's Mind and Over One's Body
![Picture](/uploads/8/8/5/5/88558654/john.png?410)
John Stuart Mill, a 19th Century English philosopher wrote, "... Over one's mind and over ones body the individual is sovereign..." This is a great principle that Mill writes in his novel On Liberty in 1859. This quote starts out by addressing one's mind and body. Mill is addressing both factors to represent their equality. Rather than stating over ones mind or body, he drives home the point that both need to be represented and accounted for. Following this he states, "the individual is sovereign." This stanza alone means in a literal sense that a singular person, or individual, is a supreme ruler or possesses supreme power. When this is all put together, Mill is stating that an individual is the supreme ruler of his or her self in regards of ones thoughts and body. White using the term "sovereign", Mill's ties in Liberty.
Not only does this quote address Liberty because of its context, but it significantly addresses the topic of control and self governing. Mill's states that one does have control over ones self, however many places all around the world do not all free will, many people live under the controls of another. For example, Singapore is one of the safest countries in the world, the crime is so low one would feel comfortable not locking his or her house at night. However, the control over ones mind and body in Singapore is limited. The laws are so strict and the dictatorship is so aggressive that freedom is quite restricted but it is also safe and a reassuring environment. Some prefer guaranteed safety rather than full control over their own mind and body. I personally agree with Mill's statement in that a guaranteed right and principle should be control over ones mind and body. Although safety is extremely important, freedom of the mind and body is just as, if not more significant.
Not only does this quote address Liberty because of its context, but it significantly addresses the topic of control and self governing. Mill's states that one does have control over ones self, however many places all around the world do not all free will, many people live under the controls of another. For example, Singapore is one of the safest countries in the world, the crime is so low one would feel comfortable not locking his or her house at night. However, the control over ones mind and body in Singapore is limited. The laws are so strict and the dictatorship is so aggressive that freedom is quite restricted but it is also safe and a reassuring environment. Some prefer guaranteed safety rather than full control over their own mind and body. I personally agree with Mill's statement in that a guaranteed right and principle should be control over ones mind and body. Although safety is extremely important, freedom of the mind and body is just as, if not more significant.