Edmund Burkes Reflections on the Revolution in France and...

In this paper I will compare the theories and ideas from both Edmund Burke’s Reflections on the Revolution in France and John Stuart Mill’s On Liberty. In comparing these two philosophers, I will be paralleling their ideas and my own ideas I will be attributing them towards the modern day whistleblower, Edward Snowden. Political figures, government representatives and philosophy advocates have carefully studied Burke’s and Mill’s writings over hundreds of years to better understand their theories on governmental control in a society. One of, if not the most noteworthy concept in both their famous writings revolved around the concept of governmental control in a society. Both Burke and Mill have their own theories; they also have many†¦show more content†¦He was a committed advocate of utilitarianism. Mill made it known that he was a strong supporter of giving the power back to the minorities. The minority citizens in a society are the people who always challenge the system and keep the society advancing and evolving. He recognized that the only way we as a society can evolve and prosper is to find a way to give the minority a voice. Edward Snowden is an infrastructure analysis for the NSA. Snowden disclosed classified information to the general public and confidential government mass surveillance programs to the press. He was announced as the NSA’s public whistleblower. His views for these actions are based upon the underlining truths of both Burke and Mill’s theories. He believed that giving the minorities a voice in what their superiors are doing is the right thing to do. As Snowden stated in his interview â€Å"The public is owed an explanation of the motivations behind the people who make these disclosures that are outside of the democratic power.† (Kevin M. Gallagher) It is with his great power that they had to make a decision. Knowing he did not like the fact that the public does not know what he is capable of doing, does he tell everyone openly and possibly put himself at risk? Or does he keep everything still to himself and not worry about the following consequences or what could hap pen to him. Edmund Burke was a true leading figure of the conservative party. While he was writing his pieceShow MoreRelatedEssay about The Issues of Abortion and Gay Marriage1521 Words   |  7 Pagesand of course one conservative philosopher, Burke, to examine the different points of views. Stuart Mill will of course take the standpoint of the traditional liberalist values. Whereas Burke’s views will connect to some Liberalist principles, but for the most part will be more prone to the conservative principles of gradual evolutionary changes instead of revolutionary changes. John Stuart Mill is one of the most revered Liberalist philosophers of his time. Mill was one of the originalRead MoreTradition And Tradition Throughout Contemporary Life2102 Words   |  9 Pagescontemporary life? In your answer consider the views of Edmund Burke and J.S.Mills. Tradition can be defined as ‘The transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation, or the fact of being passed on in this way’ , a custom within tradition is a widely accepted way in which the individual behaves or acts specifically to the particular beliefs of the social group in which they adhere to. As modernity came to fruition, individualism that Mill’s proposed was so intrinsic to modernisation resulted