In modern political culture, libertarianism has acquired new supporters and has taken on a new existence. The philosophical underpinnings of libertarianism are essential to discuss because they can point out the limitations of the ethical system in the present context. To explore the issue, it was chosen to focus on John Stuart Mill’s On Liberty (p. 185), which is a philosophical essay, which applies the utilitarian philosophy to liberty and authority. Mill underlines the importance of individuality, which is seen as a prerequisite to achieving higher pleasures for individuals. Moreover, the author asserts that the ideals brought by democracy could lead to the tyranny of the majority, which means that the government should not have the power to intervene in the life of individuals. However, in the current global pandemic situation, individuality could present a threat to society as there is a significant need for putting the interests of the majority before the interests of separate individuals.
One of the most significant challenges that individuality presents in the present context of the CoVid-19 pandemic is the fact that there should be a set of distinct rules guiding the behavior intended to facilitate social distancing to prevent the spreading of the disease. The freedoms and the personal interests of individuals are being overlooked to preserve the lives of populations and reduce the capabilities of the virus to spread from one person to another. The principles of individuality, according to Mill, challenge the rules that call for people to stay at home and avoid social contacts regardless of their desire to do so. Mill points out the destructive tendencies that leaders may have toward their people: “by liberty, was meant protection against the tyranny of the political rules” (Mill, p. 14). The role of patriots, therefore, is setting limits on the power of leaders over controlling the freedoms of individuals. However, when people have too much freedom to make their own choices, the current pandemic would likely persist for years. Too much liberty will inevitably cause carelessness over the established rules of social distancing and quarantine because each person is free to choose how to live, where to go, and whom to meet. The spike in cases of CoVID-19 and the subsequent deaths associated with the disease will be the result of the ability of individuals to make their own choices regarding social distancing.
Nevertheless, liberty can still be helpful in overcoming the challenges associated with the pandemic. According to Mill, liberty must rule in the “inward domain of consciousness,” which includes feelings, throughs, and opinions, and their free expressions (Mill, p. 27). Liberty should also prevail in the freedom to unite as well as in the tastes and pursuits of individuals. Therefore, liberty can be used as a principle for bringing people closer during uncertain times rather than giving them the freedom to do anything they choose. While everyone is free to think what they want and to have differing opinions, the domains, in which liberty should prevail, do not include the freedom to choose one’s actions during an international crisis. It is important not to take liberty for granted at this time and overcome the global problem through unification and the pursuit of mutual goals. To achieve the common good, libertarianism and individualism should be used as philosophies that promote care for one another.
References
Mill, John Stuart. On Liberty. Ticknor and Fields, 1863.