Question

According to J.S. Mill, the rational ground for coercion of an individual is-

• A. Justice
• B. Self-preservation
• C. Happiness
• D. General Will

Hint:

John Stuart Mill argued that coercion is only justified when an individual's actions pose harm to others, and is necessary for self-preservation.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding J.S. Mill's concept of coercion.
John Stuart Mill, in his work On Liberty, argued that individual freedom should only be limited to prevent harm to others. Coercion is justified on the basis of self-preservation, meaning that an individual may be coerced if their actions threaten the safety or well-being of others or the society as a whole.
Step 2: Analysis of options.
- (1) Justice: Justice is a moral principle, but Mill's justification for coercion is not based solely on justice.
- (2) Self-preservation: This is the correct answer. Mill believed that the rational basis for coercion is the protection of others' self-preservation.
- (3) Happiness: Mill focused on individual liberty, but coercion is not justified for the sake of promoting happiness.
- (4) General Will: The general will is a concept in Rousseau’s philosophy, not Mill’s.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (2) Self-preservation.