The Individual and the Society: A Comparative Study between John Stuart Mill and John Rawls

ABSTRACT:This research paper seeks to examine the nature of the relationship that exists between John Stuart Mill and John Rawls‟s conceptions of the individual and the society, given that the need for comparing and contrasting their views is of major necessity in the field of philosophy of humanity and persons. Haven acknowledged the fact that both thinkers are being situated within the liberal tradition, we intend to argue that they all have incompatible and compatible conceptions to the question of the individual/society relationship. This will be in opposition to those who only perceive their views in regard to the reflection of individual and the collective from an exclusive or from an inclusive perspective. Mill accords more powers to the individual above the society while Rawls on his own path reconsidered the balance between the two. However, beyond their opposing dimensions, we shall argue that Rawls remains Millian despite his claimed to have rupture from Mill liberalism of autonomy and individuality. Finally we shall equally propose an alternative that goes beyond their liberal ambitions and that can serve as the base for overcoming the tension between the individual and the society in our present liberal and neoliberal context.
KEYWORDS: Autonomy, Individual, Liberalism, Society, Philosophy of Humanity.