Domination Quote by John Stuart Mill
““But was there ever any domination which did not appear natural to those who possessed it?””
About This Quote
Source Book: On Liberty, John Stuart Mill, 1859
Power often seems natural to its holders, masking its arbitrary nature.
In simple terms: Domination feels natural to those who have it.
Key Takeaway
Question the legitimacy of power structures.
Themes
politics
philosophy
authority
justice
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political analysis
- activism
- education
- policy making
Key Concepts
social contract
legitimacy
power dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- Who benefits from accepting domination?
- How can we reveal hidden power?
A Different Perspective
Power can be justified by cultural narratives, not just force.
![“[For people] to refuse a hearing to an opinion, because they are sure that it is false, is to assume that their certainty is the same thing as absolute certainty. All silencing of discussion is an assumption of infallibility.” quote by John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c53/john-stuart-mill-477_doubt_for-people-to-refuse-a-hearing-to-an-opi_63929.jpg)
