约翰·密尔的思想自由理论及其现代性价值

John Mill's Theory of Ideal Liberty and Its Modernity Value

密尔以功利主义为其理论基石,第一次系统地阐述了社会自由问题,指出思想自由以及在此基础上的个性独立是人的自由权利的核心内容,从而将古典自由主义之个人主义推致一个崭新的高度。思想自由是现代民主社会中牵一发而动全身的东西,密尔对思想自由的精辟论证反映了其坚定的自由主义立场,其所揭橥的一系列观点体现出鲜明的现代性态度和现代性特征,有着重要的现代性价值。

On the basis of the utilitarianism, Mill had explained the problem of social liberty in a systematic way for the first time in history and pointed out that ideal liberty and individual independence constituted the inner contents, thus enhancing the classical liberalism to a new height. Mill＇s discussion on ideal liberty reflects his firm liberal stand and has important modernity value.