All silencing of discussion is an assumption of infallibility

All silencing of discussion is an assumption of infallibility. UPSC Paper 1A - Qn - 1b

"If all mankind minus one were of one 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".

According to Mill, every individual must be allowed a say in controlling the government and thus given an opportunity to protect his/her interests.

Civil participation enhances autonomy and altruism - autonomy from self-government, and altruism from judging the interests of community".

Mill emphasized on the significance of freedom of speech in social utility (and self development of a person). According to him, clash of views facilitate impetus for thought, discussion and progress. No person no matter how intelligent is wholly infallible and for Mill, "All silencing of discussion is an assumption of infallibility".

According to him, freedom of speech and expression also includes the right of individual to hear opinions.

He enumerates 4 reasons in favor of freedom of expression -

  1. Suppression of 'wrong' deprives human kind of the opportunity to reinforce what is right. Therefore freedom of expression is required to facilitate the opinion true are false, that are against the prevailing notions in society.
  2. In social and political fields, truth emerges from the conflict of two or more opposing views.
  3. Even the wrong or false opinions should not be suppressed as they contain certain 'elements of truth'.
  4. Even the prevailing truths need opposing views as truth can be reinforced.

Mill laments that so many people have fallen into the 'pleasant falsehood' of believing that truth triumphs over persecution. In this context, Mill makes a distinction between 'true belief' and 'knowledge'. True belief is holding correct beliefs but knowledge is a true belief that is justified through rational argumentation.

Mill says progress is not about replacing false beliefs with true beliefs but it is a cyclical process in which different elements of truth rise and fall. He emphasizes on granting largest and greatest amount of freedom because it is imperative for the pursuit of individual's creative impulses and energies and for self-development.

  

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