Freedom sounds simple—do what you want, right?

But John Stuart Mill had a different take (he’s a 19th-century philosopher who spent a lot of time thinking about this, so pretty legit). He believed that liberty comes with one big condition: you’re free to do whatever you like, as long as you don’t harm others.

Sounds fair enough, doesn’t it?

But when you really think about it, this idea of “don’t harm others” gets complicated fast. For Mill, freedom wasn’t just about doing your own thing—it was about understanding how your actions affect the people around you. Liberty, he thought, isn’t something we keep to ourselves; it’s something we share.

Now, let’s bring this into today’s world

Think about all the big issues on the global stage—peace talks, climate change policies, trade negotiations. These are all about the same question Mill asked: where does my freedom end and yours begin? Can one country pursue its own goals without stepping on another’s toes?

Take peace talks as an example

One nation might feel justified in defending its borders or expanding its influence, while another sees those actions as threats to their sovereignty or safety. Mill would argue that true freedom doesn’t mean ignoring these tensions—it means recognizing how actions ripple outward and finding ways to address those ripples responsibly. His principle of “non-nuisance” isn’t just a moral idea—it’s a practical guide for resolving conflicts and building trust.

And then there’s climate agreements

One country might say, “We need more factories to grow our economy,” while another says, “Your growth is destroying our environment.” Again, Mill would remind us that freedom isn’t just about personal or national gain—it’s about understanding how interconnected we all are and making choices that respect those connections.

And what about compromise?

Mill believed that freedom works best when it’s built on conversation. The best solutions don’t come from one side winning and the other losing—they come from honest dialogue where both sides figure out how to move forward together. It’s not easy, but it’s how progress happens.

Are we living up to Mill’s vision of freedom today?

Are we using our liberties to build bridges or just digging deeper trenches? Every negotiation—whether it’s between nations or neighbors—is a chance to show whether we can balance our rights with our responsibilities to each other.

Mill would remind us that freedom isn’t just about doing whatever we want—it’s about finding ways to live together without harming each other. That’s where real liberty begins.

What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts on how Mill’s ideas apply today.