His argument rests on the foundational premise that each person has the ability to develop into a unique individual: “Human nature is not a machine to be built after a model, and set to do exactly the work prescribed for it, but a tree, which requires to grow and develop itself on all sides, according to the tendency of the inward forces which make it a living thing.” (Mill, 56-57) He claims that custom frequently oppresses this individuality and that it can be restrictive to the development of any society, stating that: “The despotism of custom is everywhere the standing hindrance to human advancement.” (Mill, 67) Mill’s postulations lead him to ultimately assert that: the cultivation of individuality is the best means to produce well developed human beings (Mill, 61) genius -and geniuses- are the products of fostering and developing individuality (Mill, 62), and individualism is a prerequisite for the improvement of societies and the general human existence (Mill, 67). Mill believes individuality to be the basis of human nature, thus implying that without individuality the distinctive characteristics of humans will be lost.
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