Exotic Journeys: A Tourist's Guide to Philosophy

brought to you by Ron Yezzi

Emeritus Professor of Philosophy

Minnesota State University, Mankato

© Copyright 1986, 2015, 2020 by Ron Yezzi

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Author's Note: This account is adapted from Ron Yezzi, Directing Human Actions: Perspectives on Basic Ethical Issues (Lanham: University Press of America, 1986) pp.210 - 229.

Topics

Max Stirner

The State As the Enemy of The Individual

Ownness

Union with Others

John Stuart Mill

Justice

Individual Freedom and Self-Regarding Actions

Freedom of Thought and Discussion

Freedom of Action

Limitations and Exceptions Regarding Individual Freedom

Avoiding Harm to Others

Inability to Judge One's Own Best Interests

Specific Limitations and Exceptions

Role of Government

Resolving Conflicts

Forms of Government

Stirner and Mill: A Comparison

Controversies: Some Objections and Possible Replies

Thought Excursions

Stirner, Mill, and Competition Among Workers

Sources

Individuals and Society:

and Mill

It may seem, at times, that the positions of Hobbes and Rousseau (as well as those of Plato and Aristotle) do not leave much opportunity for the expression of individualism. The same however cannot he said for the philosophers Max Stirner and John Stuart Mill who, although taking radically different positions, offer firm defenses of individualism.

Max Stirner