Min Ji-young: The Theory of Liberty in Comics

"Freedom" can sometimes feel so self-evident that we forget its value and importance, like the air we breathe. We think humans have free will and that everyone has the right to pursue their own happiness freely, yet it can feel unfamiliar to pause and reflect on what freedom really is. In his 1859 book On Liberty, John Stuart Mill articulated philosophical principles for establishing the principles of freedom within the relationship between individuals and society. His ideas had a significant influence on many thinkers of his time and remain a reference point for social consensus about individual freedom and responsibility. Comic-Style On Liberty centers on Mill's On Liberty and weaves together the essence of his thought from works such as Utilitarianism and The Subjection of Women in comics, making his ideas accessible to everyone. It maintains a light rhythm through short four-panel scenes while seriously and densely presenting the fundamental principles that social beings should observe, including freedom and responsibility, rights, and duties. Why should Mill's On Liberty, written more than 160 years ago, continue to be discussed today? The answer can be found in modern society's legal order, politics, and democracy. The principle of freedom Mill established does not assume the absolute value of individual freedom. True freedom is explained not simply as "being able to do what one wants," but as a concept that also encompasses individual responsibility for actions that harm others' interests and the legitimacy of social sanctions. These are fundamental principles underlying today's legal systems, politics, and social culture.

Korean title: 만화로 읽는 자유론

Korean author: 민지영

Korean publisher: 곰출판

ISBN-13: 9791189327309