Abstract
Modern or Liberal Approach is one of the most vital and prevailing Western approach and trends towards freedom of expression and other liberties and rights. Most of the Western scholars and jurists have been agreed on legal boundaries and restriction on freedom of expression but now with the arrival of modern liberal theory, they are advocating absolute concept of individual liberties. But according to classical western scholars, absolute freedom is not suitable for state and society both. You must bind the freedom with some legal limits. They pronounced without these legal limits you cannot run the State affairs and also cannot resolve the conflict between different communities, faiths and religions. Absolute and limitless freedom of expression creates chaos in the state and society. A renowned western scholar John Stuart Mill suggested some legal and moral limits for the sake of society and stability. Some scholars also differentiate the positive freedom from negative one in their freedom theories. In this study efforts are made to explore the modern western approach towards freedom of speech with special reference to John Stuart Mill’s approach and Islamic principles of liberty. It is perceived from the study liberal approach is a central point in modern western thought and Johan Stuart Mill has a lot of influence in this regard. Therefore, it is suggested if we want to study the concept of liberty in modern thought we should not ignore the hall mark impact of JS Mill. An analytical and critical approach has been adopted for this comparative study along with qualitative research methodology.
Keyword(s)
Modern Western Approach, Liberty, JS Mill, analysis, Islamic thought