Through his work, John Stuart Mill, British philosopher and economist of the 19th century, aimed at defending and promoting “one very simple principle, as entitled to govern absolutely the dealings of society with the individual”, which is that “the sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number is self-protection.”

The congress will emphasize the continued relevance and force of this principle in its philosophical, moral, social, political and religious dimensions, and also examine the bases, the consequences, but also the limits of this issue.

Speakers from different horizons will be gathered and present their understandings of this “very simple” but also major principle and explain how it can still guide our societies today.

This event is organized by the Chair in Philosophy of Biological and Medical Sciences at the Collège de France, with the support of the Institut international de philosophie and the Fondation Hugot of the Collège de France.

The entrance will be at: 125 Avenue de Suffren 75007 Paris.

To register and for any other question, please contact the Human Security, Democracy and Philosophy Section, philosophy&human-sciences;@unesco.org.