Strange it is, that men should admit the validity of the arguments for free discussion, but object to their being 'pushed to an extreme'; not seeing that unless the reasons are good for an extreme case, they are not good for any case. Strange that they should imagine that they are not assuming infallibility, when they acknowledge that there should be free discussion on all subjects which can possibly be doubtful, but think that some particular principle or doctrine should be forbidden to be questioned because it is so certain, that is, because they are certain that it is certain. To call any proposition certain, while there is any one who would deny its certainty if permitted, but who is not permitted, is to assume that we ourselves, and those who agree with us, are the judges of certainty, and judges without hearing the other side. (p. 29)
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Mill argues that rejecting extreme cases of free discussion undermines the logic for any free discussion. Claiming certainty without hearing dissent assumes infallibility.
- In plain terms
- If you support free debate, you must support it even for extreme cases.
- What can you take from it?
- Do not limit discussion just because you feel certain about a topic.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What ideas do you consider too certain to question?
- Where have you seen certainty block progress?
Another view
Some topics like hate speech may reasonably limit discussion despite this logic.
More from John Stuart Mill
In the case of any person whose judgment is really deserving of confidence, how has it become so? Because he has kept his mind open to criticism of his opinion…
Permalink to quote #27 The usefulness of an opinion is itself matter of opinion. (p. 30)
Permalink to quote #29 There is the greatest difference between presuming an opinion to be true, because, with every opportunity for contesting it, it has not been refuted, and assum…
Permalink to quote #26
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