63 (“It is not by…’)Īsking questions, proposing contrasts, providing half-truths, and testing currently accepted ideas are all methods by which dissenters contribute to the advancement of society.2 Mill suggests that closed-minded individuals who reject the unalike beliefs of others will never truly know their views to be the whole truth.3 Dissenters offer a way for the popular beliefs of society to be put to test. Dissenters are an example of those individuals who actively cultivate vital individuality. Promotion of individuality increases a person’s worth making him a more valuable member of society so, the more valuable a member of society he becomes, the more likely he is to make positive contributions to the nation-state.
The main theme throughout, On Liberty, is the idea that without a strong will to actively cultivate vital individuality, a society will cease to progress.1 The overall well being of a nation-state lies within the citizens’ willingness to promote individuality.
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