Domination Quote by John Stuart Mill
“Was there ever any domination that did not appear natural to those who possessed it?”
About This Quote
Source Book: On Liberty by John Stuart Mill, 1859
Power often seems natural to its holders, masking its constructed nature.
In simple terms: Power feels natural to those who have it.
Key Takeaway
Question the legitimacy of authority.
Themes
authority
perception
power
justice
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- political debate
- activism
- education
- media analysis
Key Concepts
social contract
legitimacy
critical theory
Questions to Reflect On
- Who benefits from accepted power structures?
- How can we reveal hidden biases?
A Different Perspective
Power can be justified by tradition, not just necessity.
![“[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)
