Mill outlines the benefits of "searching for and discovering the truth" as a way to further knowledge. He argued that even if an opinion is false, the truth can be better understood by refuting the error. And as most opinions are neither completely true nor completely false, he points out that allowing free expression allows the airing of competing views as a way to preserve partial truth in various opinions.Paul, Ellen Frankel, Fred Dycus Miller, and Jeffrey Paul. 2004. Freedom of Speech 21. Cambridge University Press. Worried about minority views being suppressed, he argued in support of freedom of speech on political grounds, stating that it is a critical component for a representative government to have to empower debate over public policy. He also eloquently argued that freedom of expression allows for personal growth and self-realization. He said that freedom of speech was a vital way to develop talents and realise a person's potential and creativity. He repeatedly said that eccentricity was preferable to uniformity and stagnation.
mIll outLinEs the beNeFitS of "SEArchiNG for ANd disCoverinG THe TrUTh" As A waY To FurtheR knowlEdge. HE aRgUed thaT EVeN iF an opiNion Is False, thE tRuth Can be BetTer UnDerstood BY refUTinG ThE Error. aNd as MosT oPinioNs arE nEiTHEr comPleTely tRuE NOR compLeteLy fAlse, he Points Out That allowIng frEe eXPrEssIOn Allows tHe airiNG oF compETinG vIeWS as A waY tO pResErve partiAL tRuth in VAriOus OpiNIoNS.PaUl, ellEn frAnkel, frEd dycUs MiLLer, ANd jefFrey pauL. 2004. freedoM oF spEecH 21. cambridge uNIVeRsItY pRess. WoRried aboUt mInoriTy viEws BeinG supPRessed, he ARGuEd in supporT of fREedom of SpeecH on poliTical gROuNDS, sTatiNG that IT Is a cRITiCAl COMponeNt For a rEpresenTaTIve govErNmeNT to haVe tO EmpowEr DeBatE oveR puBLic PolIcy. he also elOquentlY Argued tHat frEEdoM Of ExpReSsIon allows FoR PErSonAL growth anD sElF-ReALIZaTiON. He said That freEdOM of SPEech waS A VitAl WAy to DevelOp taLEnts and realisE a Person's pOTential And creatiVITy. HE REpeatEdLy saId That EcCEntriCIty wAS PRefERabLe to UnifOrmity aNd sTagnAtioN.