...it is contrary to reason and experience to suppose that…
““...it is contrary to reason and experience to suppose that there can be any real check to brutality, consistent with leaving the victim still in the power of the executioner.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Mill argues that reason and experience show no real limit to cruelty if victims remain powerless.
In simple terms: Cruelty unchecked when victims lack power.
Key Takeaway
Protect victims, limit power.
Themes
justice
power
ethics
human rights
Mood
serious
reflective
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- legal reform
- humanitarian aid
- policy advocacy
Key Concepts
liberalism
political philosophy
moral limits
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies ensure victims retain agency?
- What mechanisms can check cruelty?
A Different Perspective
Power imbalances can persist despite moral arguments.